By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: A session of the Punjab Assembly was adjourned on Monday due to lack of quorum, as government and opposition lawmakers clashed over uproar during the visit of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to the House. The sitting, chaired by Panel of Chairperson Samiullah Khan, witnessed tense exchanges over the absence of departmental secretaries and a walkout by the press corps.
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Parliamentary reporters staged a boycott from the press gallery after opposition MPA Colonel (retd) Shoaib Amir allegedly made derogatory remarks about the media. Reporters demanded a formal apology, leaving coverage suspended until their concerns are addressed.
Chairperson Samiullah Khan issued strict directions, stating that going forward only the secretary or special secretary of a department will be permitted to respond on the Assembly floor, adding that section officers will not be entertained.
Responding to objections, Provincial Minister Sohaib Bharath rejected claims that the KP Chief Minister was denied protocol, asserting that he was provided five DSP-rank elite security vehicles and his team was allowed freedom of movement. He added that the KP CM himself appreciated Lahore’s security and hospitality.
During the session, treasury member Ahsan Raza sounded the alarm over low literacy levels, stating that nearly 50 million people in Punjab are illiterate. He urged the government not to dissolve the Department of Literacy and Non-Formal Basic Education, stressing the need to expand it.
Parliamentary Secretary Chaudhry Naveed Ashraf briefed the House that Punjab currently operates 20,273 non-formal schools under the Literacy Department, accommodating more than 680,000 students. He said the provincial literacy rate has risen to 66 percent, and free education is being provided up to primary level according to the Punjab Textbook Board syllabus.
The session ended abruptly when opposition member Ijaz Shafi pointed out the lack of quorum, leading to adjournment until 11am on Tuesday.
