Efforts to De-escalate Political Tensions in Punjab: Negotiation Committees Formed

Sources indicate that both the government and opposition in Punjab have established negotiation committees to discuss the references seeking disqualification of certain members of the Punjab Assembly, potentially easing political tensions.

The second session of these negotiation committees is scheduled for Sunday. Successful discussions could lead to Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan withdrawing the disqualification references.

Composition of Committees

Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman will lead the government’s team, which includes Salman Rafique, Rana Arshad, Samiullah, Ahmed Iqbal, Ali Haider Gilani, Shafay Hussain, and Shoaib Siddiqui. The opposition committee consists of Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, Ali Imtiaz, Sheikh Imtiaz, and Ejaz Shafi.

Background of the Disqualification Reference

Last week, the speaker submitted a disqualification reference to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against 26 MPAs. This action was prompted by disruptions, sloganeering, shouting, and document tearing during the budget session.

MPAs Named in the Reference

The reference targets PTI-backed MPAs, including Malik Farhad Masood, Muhammad Tanveer Aslam, Syed Riffat Mehmood, Yasir Mehmood Qureshi, Kaleem Ullah Khan, Muhammad Ansar Iqbal, Ali Asif, Zulfiqar Ali, Ahmad Mujtaba Chaudhary, Shahid Javed, Muhammad Ismael, Khayal Ahmad, Shahbaz Ahmad, Tayyab Rashid, Imtiaz Mehmood, Ali Imtiaz, Rashid Tufail, Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal, Khalid Zubair Nisar, Ch Muhammad Ejaz Shafi, Saima Kanwal, Muhammad Naeem, Sajjad Ahmed, Rana, Aourang Zaib, Shuaib Ameer, and Usama Asghar Ali Gujjar.

Fines Imposed for Vandalism

In a separate development, ten opposition lawmakers have been fined over Rs2 million for vandalism, including breaking microphones, based on video evidence.

Those fined, including Chaudhary Javed Kausar, Asad Abbas, Tanveer Aslam, Riffat Mehmood, Muhammad Ismael, Shahbaz Ahmad, Imtiaz Mehmood, Khalid Zubair, Rana Aourang Zaib, and Muhammad Ahsan Ali, are each required to pay Rs203,550.