After PSL final, a feisty match among lawmakers

Opposition derails govt’s attempt to pass unanimous resolution over successful match

LAHORE: While the Pakistan Super League final on March 5 turned out to be a one-sided affair, the Punjab Assembly session on Tuesday saw government and opposition lawmakers matching each other pot-shots for pot-shots.

The opposition benches strongly opposed the treasury’s attempt to pass a resolution unanimously for appreciating the organisers of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore. Law Minister Rana Sanaullah had presented the resolution.

The opposition lawmakers claimed that mosques near Gaddafi Stadium were closed, the natural gas supply was cut off and roads were blocked for traffic, barring children from going to schools and patients from reaching hospitals.

PTI legislator Shoaib Siddiqi exclaimed the PSL was an abbreviation of Panama Still Liability, referring to the ongoing case on Panama Papers in the apex court.



He alleged tickets to the final were handed out to PML-N lawmakers so they could take their supporters to the Gaddafi Stadium for chanting slogans in favour of the ruling party.

“Cricket lovers gave their verdict by chanting slogans against the prime minster,” he said.

Shoaib’s party colleague Arif Abbasi expressed surprise over the closure of mosques near the stadium for the match.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dr Waseem Akhtar suggested giving special honorarium to law enforcement personnel deputed at the match from the billions earned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from the PSL final.

Presenting the resolution, the law minister said it was admirable the entire nation had united against terrorism at the PSL final.

“The successful event not only gives a positive impression to the whole world but also paves the way to international cricket in Pakistan,” he said. “The impression that Pakistan has been isolated was dispelled by the PSL final, and our enemies have been given a clear message.”



Chaos ensued after Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal asked the legislators to say yes or no for the resolution.

PTI and JI lawmakers stood up against the move and started shouting ‘Go Nawaz Go’. The government lawmakers responded by ‘Go Imran Go’ as a shouting match started.  The speaker’s efforts to maintain decorum went in vain, as no legislators took note of his advice.

Later a resolution was unanimously passed to condemn the recent terrorist attacks and to pay tribute to those martyred. The session will start again today (Wednesday) at 10am.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2017.