Negotiations over 26 suspended MPAs may reach deadlock

Opposition views govt's insistence on written commitment as unnecessary, bid to enforce silence during Maryam's speech

The government’s insistence on obtaining a written commitment from the Opposition to abide by five key conditions, including Rule 223 of the Assembly Rules is threatening to derail ongoing negotiations over the suspension of 26 MPAs.

Sources told The Express Tribune that treasury benches are pushing for a documented assurance. However, this demand has not been extensively discussed among Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers, many of whom are preoccupied with the party’s recently launched movement. A final decision is expected during an upcoming parliamentary party meeting, but most lawmakers reportedly oppose submitting any assurance in writing to the negotiation committee.

The five conditions set by the committee include: refraining from foul language, sloganeering, human rights violations, strict adherence to Rule 223 of the Punjab Assembly Rules of Procedure (1997), and the provision of a documented commitment from the Opposition.

Read: Punjab speaker offers suspended PTI MPAs chance to present their case

According to sources, the Opposition plans to persuade the committee to drop the demand for a written commitment. They view the condition as an attempt to enforce silence during Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s speech something the Opposition has vowed to resist. Several MPAs argued that reiterating what is already codified in the rules is unnecessary.

Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, has repeatedly emphasized the requirement for a written assurance, citing the Opposition’s past failures to honor verbal agreements.

The Opposition is expected to argue that this approach curtails their right to protest in the assembly a forum they see as essential for expressing dissent, especially in the face of alleged mistreatment of PTI leaders and workers outside the House.

While the government is focused particularly on securing assurance against disruption during speeches, the Opposition may either refuse or provide only a verbal commitment leaving room for potential breaches based on future circumstances.

However, a faction within PTI suggests that submitting a written assurance, even temporarily, could help defuse tensions and prevent Speaker Khan from initiating disqualification references with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Sources also noted that responsibility for the June 27 assembly chaos cannot rest solely on PTI, as PML-N lawmakers were equally involved in the scuffle that erupted during the chief minister's address. PTI legislators have also been denied access to CCTV footage of the incident, they said.

Speaker Khan is reportedly abroad for three weeks but may chair the next session online via Zoom. In informal conversations with reporters, he acknowledged previously allowing the House to be held "hostage" out of leniency toward the Opposition, a stance he now regrets.

“There is a right to protest, but also a right to speak and everyone must be heard respectfully,” he said. “Enough is enough. No hooliganism will be tolerated, come what may.”

He clarified that he would not condone character assassination or prevent any member from speaking. However, he drew a firm line against mob behavior, aggression, and acts such as book-throwing labeling them completely unacceptable.