11 SIC members barred from PA

Ruckus created by the opposition during the speech of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz at the city inclusion of the budget debate cost it a ban on its 11 members for 15 sittings of the provincial assembly.

The pandemonium not only irritated the CM and treasury lawmakers but also Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan who adjourned the house leaving most of the agenda pending and warning the opposition that he would utilise all powers to keep the house in order in future.

Around 40 of the total 108 opposition members were present when the CM began her speech but their number increased later to about 60.

However, the opposition members remained at their seats for most of the time, unlike previous protests, and tried to assemble in front of the speaker after most of the speech had been delivered. The CM appeared uncomfortable several times because of the opposition's interruptions amid the speaker's calls to maintain order.

She also appeared to respond to slogans of the opposition lawmakers at some instances and asked them to sit calmly on their seats.

She said the lawmakers in the opposition were like her brothers and sisters but remarked soon afterwards that they spent most of their time creating mischief.

Some PML-N lawmakers confronted the opposition members over continuously creating disturbance during the CM’s speech, leading to fiery arguments from both sides. The opposition members continued chanting slogans in favour of former prime minister Imram Khan and and against ex-PM Nawaz Sharif.

As the CM concluded her speech, Speaker Khan adjourned the house till Saturday. Discussion and voting on supplementary demands for grants and the speech of the opposition leader were on the agenda for the day but ignored.

CM Maryam Nawaz termed the budget remarkable and said it would ameliorate the fate of the poor masses. She said this budget was not the proverbial jugglery of words and vowed to implement it.

She said that after launching 100 programmes in the first three months of her rule, she would leave no stone unturned in eradicating corruption from everywhere. The chief minister said a mechanism would soon be introduced to take exemplary action on the spot against bribery. She said political interference in administrative matters would not be tolerated and all recruitments were being made on merit while following the due process without any discrimination.

The chief minister thanked the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for extending its cooperation and promising not to demand any favour if appointments are not based on favouritism. She said the provincial government is launching a Kissan Package with Rs400 billion, a tractor scheme with Rs30 billion, giving loans without interest, subsidy in electrify and diesel for farmers.