Disorder descends on Punjab Assembly after verbal sparring

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly witnessed chaotic scenes on Friday as tensions mounted during proceedings.

Rashida Lodhi, a member of the PMLN, sparked the situation by labelling prisoner number 804 a traitor. This led members of the Sunni Ittehad Council to rise and begin chanting slogans in support of PTI’s founding chairman. In a retaliatory move, government representative Tariq Gill also stood up and joined the chanting.

Deputy Speaker Zahid Iqbal Channar bravely attempted to restore order amidst the turmoil. Meanwhile, an opposition figure donning the mask of PTI chairman made a dramatic entrance. Amidst the commotion, the issue of women’s governance once again took centre-stage for deliberation within the assembly.

Earlier, the session of the Punjab Assembly commenced after a delay of two hours and five minutes under the chair of Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan. During a point of order, a member of the Sunni Ittehad Council, Rana Aftab Ahmed, raised objections to the use of the term “Ground to Earth” by Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari during a recent media talk. In response, the speaker acknowledged the possibility of slip of tongue, urging correction from Rana Aftab Ahmed as an elder brother.

The speaker also expressed disappointment over the delayed start of the session, emphasizing the importance of punctuality for all members. He urged everyone to prioritize punctuality, recognising the assembly as a platform for public representation.

Furthermore, the speaker announced Sara Ahmed as the recipient of the US Performance Excellence Award, adding that the government would also honour her with the Excellence Award.

In his address to the Punjab Assembly, PMLN’s Maulana Ilyas Chinioti raised serious concerns about the healthcare sector and infrastructure development in Chiniot. He highlighted the freezing of funds allocated for the government hospital in Chiniot, urging urgent allocation to address healthcare needs effectively. He particularly emphasized the plight of over four 4,000 thalassemia patients in the area, highlighting the lack of a laboratory for necessary check-ups in the current hospital facility. Pakistan Peoples Party MPA Syed Amir Ali Shah stressed the provision of information technology facilities as a right for the people of his area. During a point of order, opposition leader Ahmed Khan Bachar criticised individuals who criticised the PTI founder, suggesting a lack of understanding of legislation.

Meanwhile, PMLN member Malik Wahid Ahmed sought permission to address the gathering but was denied. Consequently, Malik Wahid walked out of the assembly, triggering chants from members of the Sunni Ittehad Council against him. Nadeem Qureshi, a member of the Sunni Ittehad Council, criticised the government, prompting members of the opposition benches to chant slogans in favour of the founding chairman of the PTI. When slogans were chanted, government member Tariq Gill also stood up from his seat and started raising slogans.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan nominated Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar opposition leader and Moeen Riaz Qureshi as the deputy opposition leader.