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Express Tribune
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Punjab PTI MPAs face speaker's reference
Listen to article Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has announced that a reference will be sent to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against 26 suspended PTI MPAs over their "disruptive, abusive and violative" conduct during a recent assembly session. The move follows the suspension issued on June 27 under Rule 210(3) of the Rules of Procedure of the provincial legislature of the Punjab, 1997, after the members disrupted Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's address with slogans and ruckus in the House. Further escalating tensions, the speaker also ordered recovery of Rs2,035,000 in damages from 10 PTI MPAs - Rs203,550 each – for climbing desks and damaging eight microphones during their June 16 protest during the provincial budget presentation. In another incident, PTI MPA Hassan Malik (PP-81) was barred from attending the assembly until the current session is prorogued, following his act of hurling a copy of the budget speech at Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja Ur Rehman. On June 24, the speaker gave a ruling stressing the importance of maintaining parliamentary decorum: "I emphasise all members, regardless of their political affiliation, in order to preserve decorum, uphold the dignity of this august Assembly, and ensure that parliamentary proceedings can continue without disruption." "I shall take all the steps within the legal framework to maintain order and uphold dignity of this august House and its members," he further warned. The response came after Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar raised a point of order, defending protest as a constitutional right. To determine the limits of that right, the speaker cited Rule 223 of the Assembly's Rules of Procedure, enacted under Article 67, read with Article 127 of the Constitution, which outlines members' conduct in the House. However, Bhachar strongly condemned the speaker's orders and vowed the opposition would continue its protest undeterred by threats of de-seating or financial penalties. "It was decided in our parliamentary meeting that opposition members will enter and leave the House silently," he said, noting that when he attempted to speak on a point of order, the speaker did not grant him the floor. PTI rejects 'fascist tactics' Meanwhile, senior PTI leaders blasted the ruling coalition and the judiciary, denouncing the "orchestrated campaign" to suppress the party and dismantle democracy. They firmly rejected the notion of a "Minus Imran" formula. In a joint press conference with suspended Punjab Assembly members, PTI legal counsel Salman Akram Raja, Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, and senior lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa condemned the systematic persecution of their party. "There is no Minus-Imran plan. The party hasn't even considered such a thing," Salman Akram Raja said. "For 78 years, we've been fed the illusion of democracy, when in reality, we've only seen authoritarian rule," he added, accusing the state of continuously installing "political proxies". Raja noted that PTI had engaged even with those "propped up on crutches", only to meet inertia. "Every time we met them, they said: 'We'll ask and let you know.' Even when we requested a meeting with our party founder, they again said they had to seek permission. They admitted they had no authority. So, what are we to negotiate with such powerlessness?" Regarding the Swat tragedy, where 16 tourists lost their lives in a flash flood, Raja acknowledged the limits of governance in natural calamities, adding, "If a family on a picnic is struck by an act of God, what can any government do? The K-P government isn't Superman." Opposition Leader Bhachar reiterated claims of institutional overreach. "We're resisting fascism in the Punjab Assembly," he said. "Last night, they launched a surprise assault and suspended 26 of our members." Bhachar maintained that PTI lawmakers had exercised their constitutional right to protest. "Not only were we suspended, but they also fined us. And now they're preparing to file references in the Election Commission," he said, pointing out double standards in the chamber. "The deputy speaker was raising slogans from the chair... has any action been taken against him?" He added that he had tried three times to take the floor but was not allowed to speak. "It is a principle that the opposition leader must be given the floor when he rises," Bhachar said, noting that legal consultation on the fines is underway. Sardar Latif Khosa, meanwhile, took aim at the judiciary. "Justice Qazi Faez Isa's decisions are equivalent to murdering democracy," he said. "The nation is holding him accountable — and will continue to do so." He also questioned the legitimacy of the chief election commissioner's continued service. "He's retired, yet still sitting due to the 26th constitutional amendment," Khosa said, adding that the notion of military courts for civilians was incompatible with democracy. Calling the SC's reserved seats case decision "the darkest in its history", Khosa said, "We had a two-thirds majority, yet we are to receive zero Senate seats? There cannot be a more disgraceful or repugnant decision than this." "These decisions will cost the nation for centuries," he warned, pledging never to surrender. "We are fighting for the rights of the people of Pakistan." Salman Akram Raja said PTI's commitment remained undeterred. "Yesterday's decision has not weakened our commitment. We will restore the rights of the people," he declared. "This case isn't about PTI or the Sunni Ittehad Council alone — it belongs to every citizen." "We reject this verdict, and will continue to do so," he asserted. He accused the state of sidelining PTI from the February 8 general elections. "First, our electoral symbol was snatched. Then, our reserved seats were looted in the dark of night." "In Pakistan's entire legal history, there are only two rulings that went against tyranny. This was not one of them," he added. "Our opposition seats were distributed like spoils of war to other parties. The Constitution demands that reserved seats be proportionally allocated to parties winning general seats." "In this country, democracy has been treated like forbidden fruit," Raja said. "There's no doubt that PTI is the largest political force. Yesterday was just another failed attempt to silence that voice."
Express Tribune
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Opposition rejects budget, pledges shadow version for poor
The Opposition in the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday rejected the provincial government's proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-26, pledging instead to present a "shadow budget" that they claim will reflect the real needs of the poor and underserved. As Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar began his opening speech during the general discussion on the annual budget, the House quickly descended into chaos. Treasury members interrupted the session with loud protests, prompting an equally noisy response from the Opposition benches. In his address, Bhachar questioned the rationale behind increasing the development budget to Rs1,240 billion when no new development projects were included in the list. He highlighted that the previous year's development budget stood at Rs842 billion, yet there remains no transparency about how or where those funds were utilized. "Where did the last budget go? There's no audit, no accountability, and now they want even more money without a single new project," Bhachar said, accusing the government of corruption in several of its flagship initiatives, including tree-planting drives and model bazaars. He criticized the increased allocation for education, pointing out that 25,000 of Punjab's 49,000 government schools have been outsourced, and more than 7 million children remain out of school. "The state of public schools is there for everyone to see, and outsourcing is not a solution," he added.
Express Tribune
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt neglecting public welfare: opposition leader
Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar on Wednesday accused the provincial government of neglecting public welfare, alleging it was focusing instead on feasibility studies for bullet trains and leasing aircraft for a provincial airline. "The responsibility of a provincial government is to combat inflation, lower electricity bills, and improve public health and education facilities - not to launch vanity transport projects," he said while addressing a press conference. "People of Punjab need relief, not a bullet train or an airline." Bhachar questioned the government's fiscal transparency, asking why only 50% of the Annual Development Fund had been utilised. He claimed full budgetary allocations were used only at the Punjab Chief Minister's Secretariat and the Governor's House. The opposition leader criticised spending by the Punjab Communications and Works Department, alleging billions of rupees had been spent on constructing a rest house at Rawal Dam, which he called an "unnecessary scheme." "It appears as though the current leadership believes it will remain in power indefinitely," he said. The opposition leader accused the federal government of adopting a "soft approach" regarding rising tensions with India.
Express Tribune
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Opposition stages walkout from PA over 'police harassment'
LAHORE: Opposition lawmakers in the Punjab Assembly staged a walkout on Wednesday in protest against what they described as police harassment of their families and threats to their political careers. "Our protest today is against the conduct of the establishment," said Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, announcing the walkout. He alleged that police officials had not only humiliated their families and children during raids but also threatened lawmakers to abandon politics permanently. Bhachar further claimed that during the raids, police officers told lawmakers that they were acting on the directives of a secret agency. "I am sharing this on the assembly's forum to put it on record," he stated. The opposition leader accused Speaker and Deputy Speaker of being "worthless" and said their presence in the assembly was meaningless in the face of such treatment. Lawmakers carried placards and raised slogans in favour of PTI's founding chairman, Imran Khan. During the protest, PTI MPA Farrukh Javaid condemned police actions, stating, "Women and children should be kept away from politics." He alleged that law enforcement officials had raided their homes and even taken innocent children into custody. Another PTI MPA, Shahid Raza, recounted a February 8 raid on his house, claiming that police damaged vehicles and used abusive language in front of his family. "If our families are not safe today, then no one's family will be safe tomorrow," he warned. Expressing his frustration, Raza issued a strong statement: "Don't force us to consider other means, where people are armed." Similarly, PTI's Seema Kanwal accused the police of intimidating their families and pressuring them to quit politics. In response to the opposition's protest, Punjab Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman countered that PTI was now facing the same treatment it had once meted out to others. As the opposition walked out, Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channer urged lawmakers to hear the government's stance before taking such a step. "As custodian of the House, I condemn any mistreatment of lawmakers' families," he said. Channer directed the minister for parliamentary affairs to form a committee to probe the matter and asked the Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) to investigate. During the session, opposition lawmakers also criticised the Punjab cabinet's approval of Rs200 billion in supplementary grants for development projects, calling it a "robbery" of public funds.
Express Tribune
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI reveals plan B after Minar-e-Pakistan Rrally permit denied
Listen to article Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced an alternative strategy after being denied permission for its planned rally at Minar-e-Pakistan. According to sources, the party has devised 'Plan B,' focusing on widespread protests across Punjab in the event the rally location remains inaccessible, Express News reported. PTI leadership has decided not to hold the rally at any alternate venue within Lahore. Instead, they will organise protests in various districts of Punjab. Sources within the party revealed that instructions will be given to party members and leaders to hold demonstrations in their respective constituencies. In Lahore, protests are set to be held at key locations, including Liberty Chowk, Azadi Chowk, and Mall Road. PTI leaders have stated that by denying permission for the rally, the government is unintentionally making their protests more successful. Few days ago, PTI decided to hold a public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on February 8, for which a request was submitted to the Lahore administration. According to Express News, PTI has decided to hold a power show at Greater Iqbal Park. The party has appointed Chief Organiser Aliya Hamza to oversee the event, and she has submitted a written request to the deputy commissioner of Lahore seeking approval for the rally. The request outlines that PTI wishes to hold the rally at the Greater Iqbal Park ground and an NOC (No Objection Certificate) is being sought from the authorities. The organising committee for the rally includes Aliya Hamza, o pposition leader in the Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, and Ali Ijaz Butt. PTI sources have stated that if permission is not granted, the party plans to stage a nationwide protest in response. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chapter President Junaid Akbar had warned of a nationwide campaign against the ruling coalition, citing the government's lack of commitment to resolving political tensions through dialogue. Speaking to a local TV news channel, Akbar said the opposition's willingness to negotiate was wrongly interpreted as a sign of weakness. His remarks came after PTI skipped the fourth round of talks with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition government earlier on Tuesday, effectively stalling the negotiation process. PTI and the ruling alliance initiated talks in December last year to lower the political temperature in the country. However, the dialogue process derailed as PTI accused the government of failing to form judicial commissions to investigate the May 9, 2023, protests and the crackdown on PTI demonstrators in Islamabad on November 26, 2024.
