Speculations rife after deputy speaker’s flip-flop on PA session

LAHORE:

After a notification issued by Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari delayed the session of the Punjab Assembly till April 16 before reportedly withdrawing the order, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle accused the deputy speaker of trying to create ‘confusion’ to benefit the other side.

The lawmakers also appeared to be confused about the date of the session because the PRO of the speaker and the PRO of the assembly differed on the date of the session to elect the CM.

Mazari’s PRO said the session would be held on April 6 after the withdrawal of the notification, whereas the assembly PRO said the notification for April 16 was valid.

A section of MPAs alleged that Mazari was being “managed” by the opposition as it was the first time that the speaker summoned a session in violation of procedure.

The procedure is that a notification is issued by the governor for the session. But in this case, this practice has not been followed.

However, the opposition MPAs alleged that the government was creating confusion ahead of the session wherein the voting for the CM slot would be held. The opposition enjoys a majority in the house, they claimed.

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Other MPAs believe that two lobbies were active in the house and were trying to influence the proceedings. The deputy speaker was being used for vested interests, they alleged.

The PML-N – the largest party in the house after the ruling PTI - claimed that some of their MPAs could be banned from entering the PA in relation to a “false video” that purportedly showed that the opposition was involved in creating ruckus in the house.

The PML-N MPAs believe that such tactics are being used to confuse the opposition and to restrain them from reaching the assembly for voting.

On Tuesday, Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari adjourned the provincial assembly session till April 16. However, in an about-turn, the speaker recalled his earlier decision and convened the assembly to meet at 7:30pm.

Ruckus in PA

On April 3, members of the ruling PTI and the opposing PML-N traded barbs during the session, causing it to be adjourned till today.

The session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari, had witnessed tensions between the two sides as a group of women lawmakers belonging to the ruling party moved towards the opposition benches for the recovery of three of their colleagues who had switched sides. However, the matter was dealt with in a peaceful manner.

Later, as the deputy speaker started introducing nominees’ names, the lawmakers made another attempt, which evolved into a fiery argument, and led to the ruling party using abusive language against the opposition.

During this episode, a woman lawmaker belonging to the PML-N was slightly injured. This prompted the deputy speaker to adjourn the session.