Suspended PTI MPAs stage parallel assembly session

LAHORE:

A rift between treasury and opposition benches over the suspension of 26 Opposition MPAs took a dramatic turn on Friday as parallel sessions of the Punjab Assembly were held — one inside the assembly chamber and another symbolically staged outside by the Opposition.

Acting Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channer presided over the official House proceedings, while outside, Opposition members held their own "Haqiqi Awami Assembly," led by Mian Ijaz Shafi, who acted as the symbolic speaker.

Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar reiterated that no opposition member would attend the official proceedings until the suspended MPAs are reinstated. He said the Opposition would continue to resist what it called an "unjust move" and vowed to press ahead with its parallel session strategy.

Despite earlier optimism following the third round of negotiations on July 17, which both sides had termed "successful," the impasse continued. The treasury linked the MPAs' restoration to a formal ruling by Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, while Provincial Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman clarified that suspended members would still be able to vote in the Senate elections.

During the formal session, prayers were offered for victims of the ongoing floods. PML-N lawmakers discussed the flood situation and praised the government's rescue and relief initiatives.

Provincial Minister Shujaur Rehman stated that Punjab had experienced heavier-than-expected pre-monsoon rains.

He added that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz would soon announce financial assistance for flood-affected residents. He urged lawmakers to report flood damage in their respective constituencies so that timely aid could be provided.

During the question hour, PML-N MPA Ahsan Raza criticised the previous caretaker administration for alleged corruption in the Auqaf department.