Punjab Assembly Halts Action Against Suspended MPAs Amid Negotiations

The Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Ahmad Khan, has put a hold on any further measures against 26 suspended members of the opposition, according to government sources. This includes 10 lawmakers who were also penalized for disruptive behavior.

Sources indicate that the PA speaker has instructed the assembly’s administration and government representatives to cease further actions against the 10 mentioned opposition members. This pause will remain in effect as ongoing discussions progress towards a resolution.

Earlier in the month, the speaker submitted a disqualification reference to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) concerning the 26 MPAs. The reference was made in response to disturbances, chants, and document tearing that occurred during the budget session.

The sources also revealed that the process of collecting fines and deducting salaries to cover the penalty amounts has been temporarily suspended.

It is important to note that fines exceeding Rs2 million had been levied against the MPAs for alleged acts of property damage within the Punjab Assembly.

Furthermore, no-confidence motions aimed at dismissing nine committee chairpersons from the opposition have also been halted. Prior to this, four opposition chairpersons had already been removed from their positions.

Two days prior, discussions between government and opposition committees concluded without a resolution in the disqualification issue involving the Punjab MPAs. However, both parties have consented to continue negotiations in hopes of reaching an agreement.

Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly, Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, clarified that the situation is not deadlocked and meetings will persist until a consensus is reached. He added that the speaker has urged all parties to adhere to the assembly’s regulations.

Bhachar noted that these issues cannot be resolved quickly and that progress will be achieved through consultations with the parliamentary party. He also stated that the PA speaker will ensure that both parties comply with the established Rules of Procedure.

Punjab Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, expressed optimism that the matters would be finalized within one or two additional meetings.

He also stated that the governing party does not wish to remove or disqualify the opposition lawmakers, emphasizing that their priority is to restore respect and honor within the assembly. He further added that political issues are best addressed through dialogue.

The reference submitted against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-backed MPAs includes individuals such as 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, and Khayal Ahmad, among others.

Additional MPAs named in the reference include 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.

In a separate matter, 10 opposition lawmakers have been fined over Rs2 million for vandalism, which includes damaging microphones, based on available video evidence.

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