By Asim Shahzad
LAHORE – The Punjab Assembly witnessed one of its most chaotic sessions as tensions between the treasury and opposition benches boiled over on Monday. During heated sloganeering, opposition member Khalid Nisar Dogar slapped government member Hassan Riaz, triggering a physical altercation between members of both sides.
Acting Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Chanar immediately adjourned the session and summoned key members of both the government and the opposition to the Speaker’s Chamber. Following consultations, the Acting Speaker suspended Khalid Nisar Dogar’s membership for 15 sittings.
The situation escalated further when opposition member Imtiaz Sheikh pointed out the quorum during the protest. In response, Zaheer Iqbal Chanar also suspended his membership for 15 sittings.
Deputy Opposition Leader Moin Qureshi condemned the decision, arguing that the incident was not a personal dispute and should have been referred to the Standing Committee on Ethics. However, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman insisted that the incident violated the sanctity of the House and warranted strict disciplinary action.
Amidst slogans and protest, the opposition staged a walkout from the Assembly.
In their absence, the government proceeded to pass several bills, including the Punjab Agricultural Income Tax Bill 2025. After concluding the legislative agenda, Acting Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Chanar adjourned the session until 2:00 PM on Tuesday.
