Rigging allegations baseless: PA speaker

LAHORE:Punjab Assembly Speaker Muhammad Ahmad Khan has said rigging allegations in the by-elections are utterly absurd.

Talking to the media, the speaker said the opposition should raise public issues. The opposition is insulting the mandate of the people. These individuals have clearly been defeated. In the by-elections, the Pakistan Muslim League-N has won convincingly in the constituencies of Kasur and Kahna. The election was conducted on merit, he said and added in the by-elections, the public expressed full confidence in the leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and the Chief Minister ship of Maryam Nawaz.

People are fed up with the politics of agitation and constant turmoil. We will address the issues of the 12 crore people based on the mandate they have given. Representatives must raise their voice for the rights of the people, he said.

Speaker Malik M Ahmed Khan said, “If we want to reap the fruits of democracy, it will be through the Punjab Assembly. The opposition never discussed public issues during the session. Criticism should be for reform, not for conflict.

The Punjab Assembly will operate according to the Rules of Procedure. All members of the assembly are equal in my eyes. Humiliating anyone is not my objective. If any member behaves immorally, it is my constitutional duty to take notice.”