Mazari vows to foil move hindering CM’s election

On April 5, deputy speaker issued a notification to convene the house on April 16

LAHORE:

Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari gave a loud and clear message to Punjab Assembly Secretariat claiming he would not let any attempt succeeded if made to create hindrance in smooth process of the contest for the Chief Minister’s slot scheduled to be held on April 16 (today)

Deputy Speaker Mazari, who will act as the Speaker on April 16 (today), may also pass an order to impose section 144 around the Punjab Assembly to avoid any untoward incident.

Sources claimed that the deputy speaker gave this loud and clear message to PA secretariat after it (secretariat) seemed reluctant to cooperate with him even after the order of the Lahore High Court’s division bench wherein Mazari was ordered to conduct the contest fairly.

The source added that there are reports that PTI and the PMLQ may create hindrance in smooth process of the contest by adopting different ways in assembly chambers (where the House is conducted).

Sloganeering, embarrassing situation, scuffle, may be adopted.

Both PTI and the PMLQ are also thinking “how to stop deputy speaker Mazari from chairing the House”.

And each attempt may adopt by the said parties to disturb the contest.

The source in PA secretariat also claimed that Deputy Speaker Mazari was on board with Inspector General Police (IGP) Punjab, Chief secretary, DIG, Deputy Commissioner for the imposition of section 144 on April 16 around the Punjab Assembly.

It is worth mentioning PTI and PML-Q did not want Mazari to hold the contest on April 16 (today). The rift started when Deputy Speaker Mazari, on April 3 which was the election day, had adjourned the House for April 16 owing to a scuffle between PTI and the PML-N’s women lawmakers.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2022.