'Economic stability impossible amid chaos'

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said on Tuesday that as long as there is chaos, economic stability in the country is not possible.

Addressing a news conference in Kasur, he said a particular party existed only to create chaos and was involved in corruption worth billions of dollars in foreign funding. "Its leader wants to create an atmosphere of turmoil in the country," he added.

"The existence of some people is linked to instability and chaos," he said.

Regarding restraining some members of the Punjab Assembly from the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from attending house proceedings, the speaker said he would not tolerate indecent and abusive language. He said some PTI lawmakers used abusive language and they would not be able to face their own families if he issued their video clips recorded during the assembly sessions.

Expressing displeasure over the opposition members' failure to turn up in assembly despite requisitioning its session, he said, "I cannot remain a silent spectator and I will bring the case of the sanctity of the house to the people."

He said the Punjab Assembly session had been convened on Monday on the opposition's requisition. According to parliamentary traditions and procedures, the opposition should have attended the session. Despite waiting for about three hours, the opposition members did not come to the house, he added.

However, 60 members of the assembly marked their attendance on the register placed at the entrance and then left. Ensuring quorum in a session requested by the opposition was their responsibility, he maintained.

The speaker alleged that the aim of those members was not to discuss public issues but merely to receive daily and travel allowances.

To prevent this damaging tradition to the national treasury in the future and to take action against these members, advice has been sought from the law department within 24 hours, he said.