LAHORE:
Amid preparations to file a reference against PTI’s 26 suspended MPAs, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has reiterated that he is not in favour of expelling any member from the house but any lawmaker who violates the constitutional oath will inevitably face action.
Addressing a press conference, he said he would not politicise disqualification, but if a reference is received under Article 63(2) of the Constitution, it must be decided accordingly.
He said that under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution, it is the right of the petitioners to have their applications decided within 30 days. He made it clear that if these applications are not resolved within the stipulated time, they will automatically be forwarded to the Election Commission.
The speaker said that the opposition had been given every possible democratic space in the past – from chairing standing committees to leading the Public Accounts Committee – but unfortunately the opposition had turned the assembly into a forum for constant disruption.
Speaker Khan said the opposition is portraying disorder as a political right, but there is no such provision in the Constitution.
He said parliament is meant for legislation, not protest.
He stated that he does not believe in the politics of disqualifying anyone, as practised by PTI. However, if anyone violates constitutional boundaries or undermines the discipline of the house against party decisions, he will not hesitate to take action, he added.
He added that he holds no grudge against any party or leader but is committed to upholding the sanctity of the house. Any member who violates their constitutional oath will inevitably face action.
The speaker stated that such actions in the past laid the foundation for undermining democracy. He said he would not politicise disqualification, but if a reference is received under Article 63(2) of the Constitution, it must be decided accordingly.
He also expressed hope that the government and opposition will engage in meaningful dialogue in the coming days to improve the atmosphere of the house, so that the Punjab Assembly can truly serve as the representative forum of the 120 million people of the province.
The speaker appears to be facing a new front of criticism in attempting to counter censure from treasury lawmakers accusing him of favoring the opposition.
He had also faced accusations of failing to maintain order during Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s speeches.
Speaker Khan had been accommodating opposition lawmakers in the house proceedings by granting them sufficient time and allowing them to speak on points of order. Sometimes he was also witnessed adopting a harsh tone with some treasury members.
An impression had bene gaining strength among the treasury benches that that the speaker was favouring the opposition. But he was of the view that he should take along the opposition and the treasury side by side and it was not appropriate to take strict action over petty issues.
At one stage, the treasury members had stopped bothering about the opposition’s protests, but called for silence during the speeches of the chief minister. The opposition members also often remained confined to their chairs rather than protesting in front of the speaker’s dais.
The opposition admired the speaker’s conduct but also tried to create maximum disruption during the CM’s speech.
When CM Maryam Nawaz spoke on June 27, the opposition appeared more aggressive, perhaps in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision on reserved seats. This led to the preparation of the reference.
