Punjab Assembly Speaker suspends 26 opposition members
The Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmed Khan on Saturday suspended 26 members of the opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), for disrupting Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's speech and causing chaos in the assembly session, according to Aaj News.
The Assembly Secretariat confirmed that the suspension was issued under Rule 210(3) of the Assembly Rules, barring the members from attending the next 15 assembly sittings.
During the session, opposition members shouted slogans, engaged in physical shoving, and tore official documents, violating the assembly's rules of conduct.
The Speaker 'condemned' their behavior, saying such disorderly conduct damages the dignity and discipline of the House.
He acknowledged that while protesting is a right of assembly members, it must follow the limits set by the Constitution and parliamentary procedures. The Speaker emphasized that maintaining order in the assembly is essential and will be strictly enforced.
The suspended lawmakers include Malik Fahad Masood, Muhammad Tanveer Aslam, SSyed Riffat Mehmood, Yasir Mahmood, Kaleem Ullah, Ansar Iqbal, Ali Asif, Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Ahmad Mujtaba Chaudhary, Imtiaz Mehmood, Ali Imtiaz, Muhammad Ejaz Shafi, Sajjad Ahmad, and others.
The suspension came after the opposition's loud protests disrupted the assembly during the Chief Minister's address, forcing the Speaker to take action to uphold the assembly's dignity and ensure smooth proceedings.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
PTI says not afraid of penalties & disqualification
LAHORE: Tensions in the Punjab Assembly deepened this week as opposition lawmakers condemned disciplinary actions against them following a protest during the provincial budget session, accusing the Punjab Assembly Speaker of acting on government directives and stifling dissent. Addressing the Assembly and media on Saturday, Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar declared that the opposition would continue its protest campaign 'inside and outside' the legislature, regardless of penalties or disqualification threats. 'We are not afraid of being de-seated or fined. It was the collective decision of our parliamentary party,' Bhachar said. He criticised Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan for allegedly refusing him the right to speak, despite procedural entitlements. 'When the opposition leader rises, he is entitled to the mic under assembly rules,' Bhachar argued. He also accused the Speaker of violating legislative procedures and taking dictation from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, rather than upholding neutrality as the house custodian. The protest, held during Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's budget speech on Friday, saw opposition lawmakers chanting slogans, surrounding the Speaker's dais, and tearing documents. In response, the Speaker suspended over two dozen members, including Malik Fahad Masood, Tanveer Aslam, Riffat Mahmood, Yasir Qureshi, and others. He announced that references for disqualification would be submitted to the Election Commission and fines exceeding Rs2 million were imposed on 10 PTI lawmakers for previous disruptions. 'Protest is everyone's right, but it must remain within constitutional and procedural bounds,' the Speaker stated in a press conference. 'No member can be allowed to hijack the system.' Bhachar, however, remained defiant. 'This government behaves like a Pharaoh, but every Pharaoh has a Moses. Ours is already here — and he sits in Adiala Jail, cell 804,' he said, referencing incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan. 'They stole our mandate using Form 47, took away reserved seats, and now want to rob us of our right to protest.' Speaking alongside PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and senior leader Sardar Latif Khosa, Bhachar reiterated that their demonstration was peaceful and within democratic norms. 'If our criticism of authoritarianism is considered an insult, then we will continue to insult such tyranny,' he said, referencing the PML-N's own aggressive tactics during the previous government's tenure. Raja emphasised that the people of Pakistan demand dignity and democratic representation. 'It's a fallacy to assume the masses are indifferent. They have always voted for democracy and want their votes to count,' he said. He urged those wielding 'real power' to engage in dialogue and criticised the current administration as lacking legitimacy. 'This is a government on crutches, and even they admit they are operating under compulsion.' Raja added that PTI is open to aligning with other political parties if they commit to a genuine democratic struggle, not merely opportunistic alliances. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Noisy protest in Punjab PA budget session: Speaker bans entry of 26 opposition MPAs into house
LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly session began after a delay of three hours and 47 minutes under the chairmanship of Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan. No opposition members were present at the start of the session. A resolution was presented condemning the tragic incident at the Swat River, with calls for the resignation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister. The Assembly also held Fateha and offered prayers for the victims, seeking forgiveness and elevation of their ranks. Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan ordered, stating that the House would not be allowed to be held hostage. While protest is a constitutional right, he stressed that it must adhere to the sanctity and rules of the Assembly. He condemned the recent budget session incidents involving vandalism, slogan-chanting, document tearing, and microphone destruction as unacceptable. Under Rules 210 and 223, action will be taken against members involved in unparliamentary and violent behavior. The Speaker warned that any member disrupting order would face consequences. Freedom of expression in the Assembly is conditional, bound by constitutional Article 19 and defined rules. Expressing regret, the Speaker noted that while the opposition was given ample freedom, it misused tolerance. Financial losses, estimated at Rs. 3 million, will be recovered from the responsible members. A violent protester threw the budget book at the Finance Minister, prompting the Speaker to highlight that countries like France and New Zealand also take strict action against such behavior. The dignity of the Assembly is paramount, and the Speaker announced firm measures against any future unconstitutional acts. The ruling applies equally to all members, regardless of political affiliation. Freedom of expression does not override other fundamental rights. Punjab PA budget session turns chaotic as treasury, opposition members trade barbs Referring to the Faizabad sit-in case and other judicial precedents, the Speaker stated that illegal protests are intolerable. No member can infringe upon another's right to speak, and maintaining order is essential. Upholding laws is the foundation of democracy, and turning the Assembly into a battleground betrays public trust. Speaker Malik Muhammad Khan stated that he has always strived to run the House in accordance with the Constitution and traditions. Unfortunately, opposition members violated his rulings, forcing him to take strict action. He imposed a ban on 26 opposition members from entering the Assembly. To ensure the democratic functioning of the House, all constitutional and legal measures will be taken. The opposition had torn copies of the agenda and chanted inappropriate slogans in the previous session. Among the suspended members under Rule 226 are Malik Fahad Masood, Syed Riffat Masood, Karimullah Khan, Zulfiqar Ali, Ahmad Mujtaba Chaudhry, Khayal Castro, Shahbaz Ahmad, Imtiaz Sheikh, Ijaz Shafi Muawang Zeb, Shoaib Amin, and others. The Speaker asserted that neither government members nor past precedents, such as those of Pervez Elahi, would dictate his actions. As a democratic leader, he follows democratic traditions. He warned that if protests occur in the Assembly, the armed sergeant would be summoned. Referencing past struggles, he noted that while leaders have faced imprisonment or even execution, such hardships do not justify disrupting the Assembly. Provincial Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, while addressing the assembly, stated that this house has witnessed two tenures of a defensive government and two of a defensive opposition, but never an opposition like this. He remarked that the Speaker made sincere efforts to guide opposition members, but all attempts proved futile. Despite the chaos, the Chief Minister reaffirmed her commitment to Punjab's development in line with her vision. The pace of progress set by the Chief Minister indicates that work is now being done in the province. Rehman emphasized that if Nawaz Sharif's nine-year tenure is excluded, no major projects can be seen in Pakistan. During Nawaz Sharif's era, motorways were built, nuclear tests were conducted, and load-shedding was eliminated. Today, Nawaz Sharif's daughter serves as Punjab's Chief Minister, and his brother is Pakistan's Prime Minister, both serving the nation. He criticized the opposition leader for promising to elevate the dignity of the green passport but instead diminishing its value. Responding to allegations of Form 47, Rehman questioned how the 2018 elections were stolen, while the 2024 elections were orchestrated by remnants of General Faiz. He welcomed yesterday's Supreme Court decision and questioned how reserved seats could be allocated to a party that did not even contest elections. He praised the current Speaker for ending the negative traditions of Pervez Elahi and Sibtain Khan, adding that opposition members in standing committees were provided vehicles and other facilities. Rehman stated that even opposition members have mothers and sisters at home, but they crossed all limits. Government member Ahsan Raza remarked that the ruckus during the Chief Minister's speech was unprecedented, adding that there is a limit to tolerance. He argued that opposition members involved in misconduct should not just be suspended but disqualified, calling the Speaker's decision correct and stating that the opposition is unfit to sit in the assembly. Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari, addressing the assembly, highlighted the tragic incident in Swat where people called for rescue for two hours but received no help. She noted that tourists from across Pakistan visit the Swat River, yet no safety measures are in place. She condemned the opposition leader for refusing to denounce the incident or question Ali Amin Gandapur. Bokhari praised local youth Muhammad Hilal for his rescue efforts, noting that while rescue teams were present, they lacked resources. The Tiger Force was deployed, but locals protested when rescuers admitted they could not swim. She demanded accountability for the deaths of 10 innocent people, calling it a matter of humanity, not politics. She criticized the opposition leader for ignoring the province's progress, stating there is no benefit in engaging with him. She accused the opposition of corruption, referencing those who embezzled 190 million pounds in Adiala Jail, warning that disrespect will be met with disrespect. She condemned the opposition's vulgar language against the Prime Minister and Punjab Chief Minister, stating that she had to resort to unparliamentary slogans to make them understand. Respect, she said, must come from both sides. The Speaker, while discussing the Swat River tragedy, noted that those trapped in the river could not be rescued for 150 minutes. He expressed confusion over reports that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister claimed he would have gone with a tembo (inflatable tube). PPP Parliamentary Leader Syed Ali Haider Gilani supported the Speaker's ruling, hoping it would restore order in the house. He noted the opposition's absence, suggesting they were ashamed to attend. He pointed out that the Chief Minister repeatedly mentioned South Punjab, indicating its priority in development plans. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
Reserved seats
Listen to article The much-awaited decision on reserved seats has cleared the air and now PTI is neither a parliamentary party nor is it eligible for the seats reserved for women and minorities in national and provincial assemblies. The judgment delivered on Friday by the Constitutional Bench under Justice Aminuddin Khan has set aside the July 12, 2024, eight-member majority decision of the Supreme Court, which had declared the PTI eligible for reserved seats. In fact, the Constitutional bench has restored the Peshawar High Court's original order that had outright dismissed the PTI's plea for reserved seats after it had changed its nomenclature to Sunni Ittehad Council on the floor of the house. Since the Sunni Ittehad had not taken part in the February 2024 general elections, the PTI taking refuge under its banner was infructuous, and goes on to endorse the claim held by the Election Commission. This was fait accompli for PTI, as its logic and argument on the reserved seats was found untenable, in the review petition, even by the honourable judges who had earlier voiced for it. The strength of the decision can be gauged from the fact that seven judges put their weight behind review pleas filed by ECP, PML-N and others, while three judges 'partially allowed' them'. The proceedings, likewise, saw a fair lawsuit as dissenting notes too were entertained as those of Justices Ayesha A Malik and Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, and the last to the recuse was Justice Salahuddin Panhwar. The 12-judge judgment now makes it obvious that those who had earlier joined the Sunni Ittehad could face the defection clause under Article 63A of the Constitution, if they chose to rejoin PTI after this judgment. In principle, the PTI has had a fair hearing and now as per law, the reserved seats under Article 51 and Article 106 and the Elections Act will go to the coalition because the 77 seats cannot be kept vacant. With nine judges having corrected the error in the review petitions, it's time to walk straight and let the Constitution have its way.
