Treasury, opp lock horns over K-P CM’s visit

Opposition alleges bias, mistreatment; govt defends security arrangements

LAHORE:

The Punjab Assembly on Monday witnessed heated exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches over the recent visit of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, as proceedings were repeatedly disrupted by procedural disputes and sharp political rhetoric.

Tensions flared early in the session when members from both sides sought to raise points of order before the Question Hour. However, the panel of chairpersons firmly rejected the requests, ruling that points of order could only be taken up after the completion of the Question Hour.

Despite repeated protests, the chair maintained the ruling, directing members to adhere to the rules of procedure.

On the request of the relevant department, all questions related to the Planning and Development Department were deferred, and the House proceeded with questions concerning other departments.

Panel of Chairpersons Samiullah Khan also expressed strong displeasure over the absence of the secretary and special secretary of the Human Rights and Minority Affairs Department.

Terming their absence “highly irresponsible,” he directed the secretary to ensure his presence in the next sitting.

He further ordered that the department’s questions be re-included in Tuesday’s agenda, categorically rejecting the presence of section officers as unacceptable.

During the proceedings, treasury member Ahsan Raza drew the House’s attention to what he described as a severe education crisis in Kasur district.

He claimed that nearly 1.6 million children were currently out of school and called for immediate recruitment of teachers. He also urged the government to reverse the decision to merge key education-related departments, warning that such measures were worsening the situation.

From the opposition benches, Shoaib Ameer criticised the alleged treatment of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and his delegation during their stay in Lahore.

He termed the situation “embarrassing” and accused the assembly administration of bias, stressing that the speaker’s office was constitutionally bound to act with neutrality. He further alleged that guests from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were subjected to unnecessary restrictions.

Responding to the allegations, Provincial Minister Sohaib Ahmad Bharth categorically rejected claims of mistreatment.

He said the KP chief minister and his delegation were provided complete security and protocol, with arrangements made well in advance.

He added that traffic police, Punjab police, and Elite Force personnel were deployed, and challenged opposition members to substantiate claims of mass arrests with FIRs and concrete evidence.

As the government failed to complete the quorum, the panel of chairpersons adjourned the session until 11am on December 30.