Punjab Assembly session: Opposition members lash out at Cheema over Aitchison College incident

LAHORE: Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan on Tuesday remarked that the chairman, Board of Governors, Aitchison College, has powers to revert the decision of the principal.

Responding to the criticism by opposition members on federal minister Ahad Khan Cheema, who allegedly used the governor’s influence to waive off the fee of his sons in Aitchison College, the Punjab Assembly speaker remarked that Cheema moved to the governor when he found that the principal did not entertain his request.

Speaking on the floor of the House, MPA Sardar Muhammad Ali said the Aitchison College incident was highly embarrassing for all as a nation. Grilling Ahad Khan Cheema, he said that a person whose name was linked with corruption of billions of rupees used the forum of the Governor House to waive off the fee of his sons. He suggested Ahad Cheema’s name must be registered at Bait-ul-Maal and he must be given aid from there.

MPA Rana Shahbaz also slammed Cheema and alleged that he had assets around Rs8 to Rs10 billion in Lahore. He said if he considers himself a poor person, he must be given relief in the Atta scheme of the government.

MPA Zulfiqar Shah said that the principal of Aitchison College was drawing salary for his office and he should be sent back with a positive note. He suggested the matter should be solved amicably.

Besides, PMLN MPA Sami Ullah Khan said Imran Khan should seek an apology from the nation over his statements while PMLN supremo Nawaz Sharif was in jail.

Terming the era of former CM Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar as a period of embarrassment for the province, he said Punjab was governed through the gang of a few people like Farah Gogi and Ahsan Jameel.

He went on to say that the budget presented by Punjab government was better than the four budgets of the PTI government.

An opposition member also demanded release of former CM Punjab Chaudhry Parvez Elahi. Later, the speaker adjourned the session.