PA’s revised Rules of Procedure launched

LAHORE: In a landmark event held at the Old Session Hall, the Provincial Assembly of Punjab, under the leadership of Speaker Malik M Ahmad Khan, launched its revised Rules of Procedure. These reforms aimed to enhance the assembly’s transparency, inclusivity, and accountability, while strengthening its legislative and oversight roles.

Addressing the session, Malik M Ahmad Khan emphasised the need to adapt the Constitution and procedural rules to address contemporary challenges such as extremism, inflation, and unemployment.

“Parliament is where we can reimagine governance and rebuild the social contract between the state and its citizens,” the Speaker noted.

He highlighted that these reforms go beyond routine legislative work, focusing on restoring public trust in democratic institutions.

The revised rules align the Punjab Assembly with the best practices of the National Assembly, Senate, and international standards. Key amendments include opening committee hearings to the public and media, live-streaming Assembly proceedings, and providing online access to session recordings.

Additionally, for the first time in Punjab Assembly’s history, members can address the House in regional languages such as Punjabi, Saraiki, Mewati, and Potohari, along with Urdu and English, reflecting the province’s linguistic diversity.

To ensure gender representation, the amendments mandate that every Standing Committee includes at least two female members, and the total number of members has been increased from 11 to 15.

The reforms also support the formation of caucuses such as the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, Local Governments Caucus, and Minorities Rights Caucus, which will address specific issues within the Assembly. One of the most significant changes is the empowerment of Assembly committees, which can now initiate inquiries independently without prior approval from the Speaker.

Furthermore, the Assembly is required to publish an annual session calendar, ensuring better planning and efficiency. The Business Advisory Committee has been entrusted with overseeing ethical behavior, including the authority to suspend members if necessary.

In a historic move earlier in the day, PA speaker inaugurated the first-ever Special Passport Desk in the Punjab Assembly’s Old Building, where assembly members can now apply for passports directly.

Senior officials, including Secretary General of the Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Amer Habib, Director Passports, Khalid Abbas, and Staff Officer to Mr Speaker, Amad Hussain Bhalli, were present at the inauguration ceremony.