Opposition, treasury unmoved over their stances in Punjab Assembly

PA speaker gives a challenge to opposition leader for the future

LAHORE: In the aftermath of the ban on six MPAs of PML-N, who allegedly caused destruction on the floor of the Punjab Assembly, the treasury and opposition benches are adamant not to show the other any flexibility on the matter.

During proceedings on Monday, Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhary Pervez Elahi told opposition leader Hamza Shehbaz Sharif that he (Elahi) would decide how to run proceedings if the latter refused to attend House Committee meetings.

Elahi, while running house proceedings, said perhaps Hamza deemed these meetings as “low in standard”. He warned that if Hamza did not attend the meetings, he would see how the house is run as a result.

“It seems the children have not been given good training,” Elahi quipped. However, he refused to throw the onus on parents. He added that parents always provided good training and it was outside influences from where the kids had picked up certain habits.
He ordered the formation of a committee which would submit a report, within two weeks, after honestly probing the carnage caused in the house. A total of 12 people were involved in damaging furniture and other equipment on budget-day, but the entry of just six was banned.

On Monday, the treasury benches seemed uninterested in persuading the opposition benches. The MPAs of the ruling party said they had done nothing wrong. Meanwhile, the opposition legislators seemed united over not attending house proceedings until the entry six of their MPAs was allowed once again.

As proceedings kicked off on Monday, Public Prosecution Minister Chaudhary Zahiruddin stood up and strongly condemned PML-N firebrand MPA Nihal Hashmi’s statement against the armed forces. He said the comments had hurt the sentiments of Pakistani people.

PTI lawmakers were stuck on their demand to get recover Rs900,000, the estimated damage from the ruckus on budget day, from the pockets the PML-N MPAs involved. Some also suggested setting a precedent by awarding them punishment over conduct which damaged the house’s image.

Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Muhammad Basharat Raja said PML-N was isolating itself from other parties due to its conduct. He added the party was working on a preplanned agenda and everyone saw this on budget day. He also suggested recovering the damages from the “violent” MPAs.

Monday was the second day that the house was called for a “general discussion” on the annual budget for FY2018-19. However, the session lost its essence due to the opposition’s boycott, while the treasury lashed out at PML-N and the policies of former chief minister Shehbaz Sharif.

A privilege motion was also moved in House by six PTI’s MPAs, including three women, claiming that PML-N‘s violent MPAs not only tarnished the image of the house, but also used derogatory language against the speaker. They condemned the words “fake speaker and thaanaydaar” used by the opposition leader. The speaker referred the matter to a special committee and sought a report within 14 days.

Minister for Information and Culture Fayazul Hasan Chohan also vowed to introduce a committee on a matter related to journalists. He said those electronic and print media organisation, which have not paid any employee for two months, will not be given any sort of advertisements. However, he clarified that organisations were receiving ads and said an incorrect impression was being created that media workers and journalists were being fired due to the PTI government not advertising with them. The house was adjourned will 11am on October 23 (today).

Opposition legislators, meanwhile, continued their protest for a second day on the PA stairs and chanted slogans against the PTI government and the speaker’s allegedly biased conduct. Hamza Shehbaz Sharif told the media said his MPAs were not heard properly and the speaker made a decision without hearing their side of the story. The opposition vowed not to return to the house till the entry of their MPAs was restored.