Speaker sides with Opposition to block 'Goonda Bill'

Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, cautioned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership on Friday against pursuing a no-confidence motion, warning that more than 20 of its lawmakers might defect if the party insists on proceeding.

During the Assembly session, Speaker Khan indirectly advised PTI to reconsider its strategy, hinting at potential fractures within the party's provincial ranks.

The session also witnessed rare alignment between Speaker Khan and opposition members in their strong criticism of the proposed Punjab Control of Goonda Bill 2025. The bill, introduced by the Punjab government, seeks to establish new authorities and empower the bureaucracy with significant legislative powers.

Opposition legislators accused the government of attempting to suppress the public through "backdoor legal tactics," vowing to resist the bill at every platform.

Speaker Khan echoed their concerns, declaring that he would oppose any legislation infringing on public rights or bypassing democratic norms. He even expressed willingness to meet Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in person to urge a review of the bill.

In another heated exchange, PTI MPA Ahmer Rasheed Bhatti raised the issue of private school fee hikes during summer vacations. He noted that despite Lahore High Court's directive to charge only half the usual fees, some schools had increased fees by 26%.

Speaker Khan expressed serious displeasure over the matter and referred it to the Assembly's standing committee on education. Punjab Law Minister Sohaib Ahmad Malik assured the House that the issue would be thoroughly investigated.

Bhatti also criticized the growing trend of delegating lawmaking powers to the bureaucracy, calling it a threat to legislative sovereignty.