Two PTI lawmakers in the Punjab Assembly were suspended for 15-sittings for their allegedly unruly behavior as the opposition party protested against the de-seating of three of its members following the orders of two anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) in May 9 rioting cases.
As the house resumed proceedings on Monday under the chairmanship of Acting Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channer, the opposition lawmakers entered the assembly hall chanting slogans in protest against the disqualification of PTI's three lawmakers.
These lawmakers including Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar were found guilty of rioting on May 9, 2023 following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. After the ATCs July 22 order, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) also announced their de-seating.
Responding to the PTI members' protest, Punjab Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman stated that the opposition was violating its commitment to act in accordance with Rule 223 of the Rules of Procedure.
Deputy Leader of Opposition Muhammad Moeenuddin Riaz requested the chair to stop the proceedings on the assembly's agenda as he sought permission to speak on the sentences awarded to the PTI leaders.
Minister Rehman said that Bhachar is like their brother but it is not the government which sentenced him to 10 years of prison. "He has been sentenced by a court over his offence," he added.
Acting Speaker Channer said the opposition could not be allowed to discuss court verdicts. He, however, allowed the opposition to express solidarity with the leader of the opposition.
As PTI's MPAs criticized the government's response to the ATCs verdicts, the treasury lawmakers lambasted the PTI for its alleged role in May 9 acts of vandalism.
PTI's chief whip Rana Shahbaz Ahmad placed the Holy Quran on his head and asked the house if he looked like a terrorist and if that was not the case then why different FIRs were registered against him for alleged acts of terror.
Acting Speaker Channer urged Ahmad not to use the Holy Quran for politics. The opposition, however, staged a token boycott for alleged breach of their privilege.
When the PTI MPAs returned, opposition lawmaker Khalid Nisar Dogar rushed towards the treasury benches and slapped PML-N lawmaker Hassan Riaz for allegedly using abusive language.
This caused a major commotion in the house, with dozens of treasury and opposition lawmakers facing off on the assembly floor. Some senior members intervened to defuse the tension. The acting speaker condemned the act of violence, stating that such behavior is unacceptable.
The chair adjourned the proceedings for five minutes and summoned lawmakers of both sides to his chamber. When the house resumed sitting, both sides condemned the incident.
Treasury lawmakers said attacking someone was highly regrettable while the deputy opposition leader said that using derogatory and abusive language was also not good.
Riaz said according to an order of Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, such matters should be referred to the house's ethics committee.
Acting Speaker Channer described it as the blackest day in the assembly's history. He said this issue concerned the dignity of the house. He later suspended PTI's Nisar Dogar for 15-sitting.
As the opposition MPAs were leaving the house chanting slogans, one PTI MPA, Sheikh Imtiaz, pointed out the lack of quorum. Channer responded that the quorum is complete. However, Imtiaz insisted that there were not enough lawmakers in the house to continue its proceedings.
Irked by his insistence, the acting speaker also suspended Sheikh Imtiaz for 15 sittings. After completing agenda items, Channer adjourned proceedings till 2pm today.
As lawmakers from both sides came into the media hall, they once again got into an altercation with some private members reportedly using abusive language against PTI's lawmakers.
The PTI MPAs termed the act of the members as hooliganism, adding they are being cornered but they will not bow before fascism and cruelty.
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