By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan has said that while he personally opposes the expulsion of any member from the House, he is constitutionally bound to act on petitions filed under Article 63(2) of the Constitution. He said a decision regarding 26 opposition members will be made within the next 27 days—either by issuing orders himself or by forwarding the matter to the Election Commission.
Speaking to the media, Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan emphasized that despite his opposition to Articles 62 and 63, he must fulfill his constitutional responsibilities. “I am not in favor of disqualifying any elected representative. However, the Constitution leaves me with no choice but to act on petitions related to breach of oath,” he stated, adding that a similar precedent exists from the Panama case, which led to the disqualification of a sitting Prime Minister.
He further remarked, “I am not a Khan who wants to disqualify people, but I am bound by the Constitution and the law.” The Speaker reiterated that his stance is not motivated by any party position and clarified that under Article 63(2), the Speaker is obligated to process the petitions submitted by fellow lawmakers.
Malik Ahmed Khan expressed hope that meaningful negotiations between the government and opposition would begin soon to improve the atmosphere in the House. “Parliament is not a morgue. Protests may occur, but they must be within the framework of the law. It is essential to maintain decorum and run the House proceedings according to legal and constitutional provisions,” he concluded.
