By Asim shahzad
LAHORE: Following the resignation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from Punjab Assembly committees, the chairmanship of Public Accounts Committee-One (PAC-I) has been temporarily assigned to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Iftikhar Hussain Chhichhar of the PML-N has been elected as chairman of PAC-I, and the Punjab Assembly Secretariat has issued a formal notification in this regard. Previously, the committee was chaired by PTI.
Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan clarified that the position has been handed over on a temporary basis to ensure continuity of public business. He said the chairmanship rightfully belongs to the opposition, which can reclaim it whenever it decides to rejoin the committees.
Meanwhile, addressing a ceremony held in honour of Chinese Consul General Zhao Shiren during his visit to Khudian Khas, Kasur, the Speaker said the government had completed two years in office and the positive results of corrective economic measures were now evident. He stated that fears of Pakistan’s default had proven wrong and responsible leadership had put the country back on the path to stability.
He said Pakistan had overcome attempts to create chaos and emphasized that the armed forces, under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief, were successfully defeating terrorism and restoring peace.
Highlighting Pak–China relations, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan termed the friendship eternal and spanning generations. He stressed the urgent need to address the issue of 25 million out-of-school children in Punjab, noting that education was essential for progress. He thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Shareef and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for approving a university of international standards in Kasur and said the Kasur motorway project was near completion.
The Speaker also said the distribution of wheelchairs to deserving individuals had begun and urged local representatives to submit lists of beneficiaries.
Minister of State Malik Rasheed Ahmad Khan praised the longstanding Pak–China friendship, calling it stronger than the Great Wall, while Chinese Consul General Zhao Shiren appreciated the warm hospitality and reaffirmed China’s continued support for Pakistan’s development, defence, and welfare initiatives.
