Govt under fire from own ranks on corruption

Treasury lawmakers and allied PPP members appeared to be playing an opposition role in the Punjab Assembly on Monday, grilling the provincial government over its inaction against corrupt police officials while denouncing steep hikes in fees for succession and declaration certificates.

PPP's Mumtaz Ali Chang warned the government, saying he would resign if swift action was not taken against corrupt police officers operating in the Katcha area.

Waving documents he claimed as evidence, he asserted that the system's rot was allowing officers like certain SHOs and DPOs to operate with impunity, abducting and looting citizens in broad daylight.

He noted that the increase in such gory incidents suggested the corruption was being backed by the institution's "corrupt officers". "I am sitting under the names of Allah in the Punjab Assembly, and God will punish me if I lie. I have concrete evidence, yet no action has been taken," he added.

PML-N's Amjad Ali Javed voiced strong objections over the Rs20,000 fee set for NADRA's succession certificates and the Rs10,000 fee for decline certificates, calling these charges a burden on the public.

Lamenting the current economic crisis, he said that while the economy was in shambles, there were still reports of government salary hikes. He expressed his bewilderment over the swift overnight increase in salaries for 17 judges and their staff.

Opposition lawmaker Rana Aftab suggested that the House install air purifiers in the Punjab Assembly to combat the severe smog.

PML-N's Uzma Kardar brought attention to the rise in human organ trafficking, citing a case in Mandi Bahauddin where a woman's kidney was reportedly stolen during a delivery.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik MuhammadAhmad Khan referred the issue to the minister for parliamentary affairs.

After completing the agenda, the speaker adjourned the House until November 13 at 2pm.