Opp walks out over Jati Umra wall issue

LAHORE
The Opposition Thursday lodged a serious protest in the Punjab Assembly over the construction of a boundary wall for the security of Jati Umra, the residence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, from public money of Rs 360 million.
The issue led to heated debate between opposition leader Mian Mehmood-ul-Rashid and Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and resulted in the walkout of the opposition which chanted slogans against the PML-N government.
The 18th session of PA, which was called on Thursday, and met with Speaker Rana Iqbal Khan in chair was prorogued later.
The session took up questions about the Health Department besides laying the Punjab Revenue Authority (Amendment) Ordinance 2015 and the Punjab Sugar Factories Control (Amendment) Ordinance 2015.
The situation got tense in the House when opposition leader Mian Mehmood-ul-Rasheed, on a point of order during the government business, took up the issue related to the construction of boundary wall of Jati Umera, Raiwind. At that time, Law Minister Rana Sanaullah was moving motions calling for the extension Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan (Second Amendment) Ordinance 2015 for a period of further 90 days. Immediately, responding to the issue taken up by the Opposition leader concerning Jati Umera, Law Minister Sanaullah Khan stated that at the time when official agenda is in progress, point of order couldn’t be given. Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal on the occasion asked Mian Mehmood-ul-Rasheed to take his seat and let the proceedings continue but he insisted to speak further over the issue after which the House plunged into a complete disorder.
Mian Mehmood-ul-Rasheed on the occasion stated already millions of rupees had been spent from public money over the facilities of rulers’ living in Raiwind and all details must be discussed in the House.
Members from both treasury and opposition benches stood up on their seats and started shouting slogans against each other after which the opposition members led by Mian Mehmood-ul Rasheed staged walkout from the House.
Within next few minutes, the House completed its agenda and the session was prorogued.
Earlier, newly elected MPA of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf from PP-147 Shoaib Siddiqi took oath as the member of the House. Speaking on the floor, Shoaib Siddiqi said his victory reflected the fall of the rulers’ pride and his remarks also caused a brief uproar in the House. He said he was thankful to people who elected him and expressed his confidence in the leadership of Imran Khan.
Law Minister Rana Sanaullah while responding to the remarks of Shoaib Siddiqi stated that the PML-N respected the mandate of PTI and latter must also acknowledge the victory of Sardar Ayaz Sadiq who had won from the same area.
Moreover, Khawaja Imran Nazir, a PML-N MPA, from Lahore responded to the queries of legislators during the question hour session which was related to the Health Department.