Treasury, opposition run separate sessions amid political tensions

Punjab Assembly speaker reminds members of the need to maintain decorum

LAHORE:

The Punjab Assembly witnessed unusual scenes on Saturday as both treasury and opposition members appeared to run parallel sessions, criticising each other’s leadership and actions.

The opposition conducted their proceedings outside the assembly after the entrance of eleven of their MPAs was banned.

This action followed their conduct during a speech by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz on June 28. Outside the assembly, the opposition session was presided over by Waqas Mahmood Maan.

The opposition passed several resolutions, including a demand for a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 riots and a provocative proposal to rename the Nawaz Sharif cardiology hospital.

They also challenged Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan’s decision to ban the entry of their MPAs, asserting they would resign if it was proven they used abusive language.

Inside the Punjab Assembly, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan presided over the session where treasury members created a ruckus as an opposition member began speaking on his cut motion.

PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) lawmaker Brig (retd) Mushtaq Ahmed demanded a headphone, which treasury lawmakers snatched, insisting he speak without it.

Mushtaq Ahmed requested Speaker Khan to also ban Pakistan Muslim League’s (PML-N) Muhammad Ashraf Rasool, who snatched the headphone.

The Speaker reminded them of the need to maintain decorum, which was ignored the previous day. This led to the opposition boycotting the session and leaving the House.

PMLN lawmakers claimed they were treating the opposition with leniency, which was being mistaken for weakness. Subsequently, the treasury approved over Rs. 11.94 trillion supplementary budget for 2023-24 in the absence of the opposition. Speaker Khan then prorogued the House indefinitely.