Legislative session: Lawmakers not interested in health issues

LAHORE: The debate on health issues in Punjab Assembly came to an end after two days, proving the disinterest of both treasury and opposition benches as the house remained almost vacant on both said days.

The opposition and some legislators from the treasury benches criticised the government for not taking appropriate measures in remote areas, claiming no efforts had been made to strengthen the health sector in rural districts.

Opposition leader Mehmoodur Rasheed asked the speaker about the progress on a reference filed for the chief minister’s disqualification for ‘misusing’ his authority.

When Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan replied he would look into the matter according to procedures, the opposition started shouting slogans against the Sharif brothers and the government. The slogans were responded to by the treasury lawmakers and the pandemonium continued for more than 15 minutes.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2017.