Opposition stages shadow provincial assembly sitting
Provincial opposition lawmakers held a "shadow session" outside the Punjab Assembly building on Wednesday, braving heavy rain and waterlogging in Lahore.
The protest came over the suspension of 26 opposition members and the continued detention of former prime minister Imran Khan and other party leaders and workers.
Led by Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, members from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) convened the alternative session to condemn what they described as growing political repression under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
The lawmakers accused the provincial government of silencing dissent and misusing its authority to suppress political opponents.
The opposition passed several resolutions, including one denouncing the detention of Khan and several other party leaders, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, Umar Sarfraz Cheema and Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed. The resolution stated that Khan, who is being held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, is facing harsh conditions in violation of constitutional and international human rights. It claimed that Khan has been denied access to his personal physician despite repeated health concerns, and that his sons have not been allowed to speak to him by phone, nor has his family been permitted to visit him in jail.
The resolution described the treatment of detained leaders as unjust, discriminatory, and politically motivated. It characterised the actions as emblematic of the Punjab government's alleged administrative failures and an erosion of democratic values.
The opposition called for immediate access to Khan's doctor, unrestricted family visits in accordance with prison regulations, and an independent investigation into alleged human rights violations in custody.
In a separate resolution, the opposition members expressed concern over alleged wasteful spending by the Punjab government.
The resolution cited expenditures on the Governor House, the Chief Minister's House, ministers' offices, and personal publicity campaigns. The lawmakers demanded that all unnecessary and lavish expenses be halted immediately, public funds be used more frugally.