Top of their lungs: Mudslinging continues at Punjab Assembly

Opposition slams arrest of shopkeepers who put up ‘go Nawaz go’ signs.

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly resonated with slogans yet again on Wednesday after opposition leader Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed condemned the arrest of shopkeepers who put up signs of “Go Nawaz go”.

The opposition told the house that FIRs were registered against shopkeepers of Mianwali and they were later arrested on the orders of the district police officer. They also slammed the detention of five athletes who were arrested from a stadium for shouting slogans against the PM.

Mehmood claimed calls for the PM to step down were not confined to Punjab and were gaining popularity “in the world”.  He demanded the immediate release of those arrested, adding such practices must come to a halt as they were against moral principles.

Opposition benches started screaming “Go Nawaz go” at the top of their lungs and this set off treasury members who retaliated with their own slogans.

Later, the opposition held at sit-in near the chair of the deputy speaker of the house. The MPAs continued with slogans against the PML-N chief.

Meanwhile, PTI MPA Asif Mehmood, on a point of order, said he submitted several amendments and one of them was related to playing the national anthem at the onset of house proceedings. He asked that if it was played at cinemas, why not a place where polices were formed?

Deputy Speaker Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani replied that several of his proposed amendments had been referred to a special committee which would give recommendations to be taken up by the legislature.

Later, a lack of quorum was identified by PTI’s Dr Murad Rass and the bells were rung for five minutes. However, the treasury managed to point that an adequate number of MPAs were present.

Subsequently, Minster for Law Rana Sanaullah presented the Punjab Boilers And Pressure Vessels (Amendment) Ordinance 2017 and Punjab Shehr-e-Khamoshan Authority Ordinance 2017. Both were referred to standing committees which would submit reports within two months.

The Punjab Boilers And Pressure Vessels (Amendment) Ordinance 2017 stated that any person using such equipment in violation of the registration, certification and inspection criteria or the prescribed codes would be liable to imprisonment which may extend to two years, but shall not be less than three months. Also, a fine is involved which may extend to Rs400,000, but shall not be less than Rs50,000.

The Punjab Shehr-e-Khamoshan Authority Ordinance 2017 was also presented in the house and it stated that it was necessary to establish, manage and regulate model cemeteries, graveyards and crematoriums.

A Chinese Parliamentary delegation, led by Sichuan Provincial People’s Congress China Standing Committee President Peng Yu, also visited the Punjab Assembly to attend proceedings and was welcomed by the treasury and opposition benches.

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