PA demands action against ‘suspects’ behind attack

The Punjab Assembly passed a resolution with majority vote demanding formation of an impartial judicial commission as well as legal action against the three top officials named by former PM Imran Khan as suspects behind the attack on PTI’s long march.

The majority of lawmakers of the PTI were on same page that the “institutions should leave good message for the new generations, everyone should give respect to other’s mandate rather than deciding things on their own whims”.

A small number of opposition lawmakers were present in the session.

PML-N opposed the resolution which irked the PTI lawmakers. The PTI members said PML-N who claims to be a democratic political party is opposing the resolution being passed to condemn the assassination attempt on Imran Khan.

As the resolution was passed, the PTI’s lawmakers delivered their speeches over attack on Imran Khan.

The atmosphere turned unpleasant when PML-N demanded Punjab Assembly Speaker Sibtain Khan to allow them to speak on the issue but PTI lawmakers opposed it.

Speaker Khan addressing PML-N replied that they will be allowed to speak on their turn. However, the PML-N boycotted the assembly proceedings.

Provincial minister for parliamentary affairs Muhammad Raja Basharat lashed out at “double-faced” PML-N, saying everyone knows why the opposition lawmakers opposed the resolution. “They are the servants of the PML-N and their obligation is just to work on the whim of PML-N’s leadership rather than doing the politics of principles.”

PTI’s Samsam Bukhari said, “I don’t know why I have vibes that the issue of Imran Khan attack will reach to a conclusion where everyone will know the actual perpetrators whose names perhaps had never been surfaced.

“This attack was not on Imran Khan but it was on the whole Muslim community, democracy and Pakistan.”

PTI’s Neelum Hayat Malik said everyone is praying for Imran Khan’s health and uttering bad words for the institutions.

Read Punjab reacts to attack on PTI chief

MPA Zaheer Khokhar said those working on foreign agendas and some powerful corridors had to face the defeat as they did not know Allah is the best Protector.

PTI’s Major (retd) Muhammad Sarwar said that Pakistan’s premier spy agency is the best in the world “but I will say them not to waste this respect they had earned after laying sacrifices”. “Stand by the truth not with lies to avoid the negative impression which is strengthening amongst the people.”

Addressing Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, he said “Bajwa sahib please leave some positive messages for coming generations.”

PTI’s Yawar Bukhari requested the institution to do what actually the public desire is. “Please learn something, the time has not gone,” he added.

Several other PTI’s MPAs delivered their speeches. Finally the Panel of Chairmen, Mian Muhammad Shafi adjourned the House by November 21 at 3pm.

Resolution

The resolution was presented by PTT’s minister for parliamentary affairs Muhammad Raja Basharat.

“The House of Punjab Assembly strongly condemns the murder attempt on former prime minister Imran Khan and other leaders at Wazirabad on November 3, 2022. It raises question mark on security agencies and the institutions of Pakistan’s state,” read the resolution.

The House also expressed its deep sorrow over the martyrdom of one PTI’s member. “This House demands legal action against those whose names were given by PTI Chairman Imran Khan. This House also demands formation of an impartial judicial commission so that the perpetrators of the incident could be brought to book. The House also strongly condemns those who are giving this incident a religious colour.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 5^th, 2022.