By Asim Shahzad
LAHORE: Punjab Assembly session, convened on the opposition’s requisition, turned chaotic as loud protests and slogan-shouting from both sides obstructed proceedings, ultimately leading to prorogation due to the opposition’s failure to complete the quorum.
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The session began one hour and 47 minutes late under the chairmanship of Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan. The Speaker administered the oath to six newly elected MPAs.
However, as the oath-taking started, opposition members began banging desks in protest, prompting treasury members to respond with slogans of their own. Guests accompanying the newly elected lawmakers also joined in with loud chants from the gallery, forcing the Speaker to briefly adjourn the sitting.
When the proceedings resumed, the newly elected MPAs — Mian Sultan Ranjha, Ali Haider Noor Niazi, Azad Ali Tabassum, Tahir Pervez, Ahmed Shehryar, and Muhammad Hanif — expressed gratitude to Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for awarding them party tickets. They said the public had endorsed Maryam Nawaz’s policies, including schemes such as laptops, scooters, and labour and farmer cards, adding that continuation of these initiatives would politically sideline the opposition.
During the opposition-requisitioned session, government MPA and Chief Whip Rana Muhammad Arshad pointed out the quorum. The opposition benches boycotted the sitting, and the required strength could not be completed. Consequently, Panel of Chairpersons Samiullah Khan adjourned the session for an indefinite period.
