LAHORE: Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has said that labeling Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) merely as a religious party is misleading, as the group exhibited elements of violence and unrest in its conduct.
Talking to media outside Punjab Assembly on Friday, he clarified that while he is not in favour of imposing bans on any political or religious organisation, there must be serious reflection when a group resorts to public violence, attacks on police, or damage to property.
‘Acts of violence by any group are unacceptable. The state must ensure the safety of its citizens within the framework of law and the Constitution,’ he remarked. To a question concerning regional issues, PA Speaker stated that a breach of trust between states often ‘leads to instability’. He urged Afghanistan to prevent non-state actors from operating freely on its soil. ‘If such elements are active, then the Doha Agreement must be strictly enforced,’ he asserted.
He added that Pakistan desires peace and progress in the region.
‘We have already given a calculated and professional response to war hysteria in the past. Our armed forces and the nation have always acted with responsibility,’ he said. He alleged that India is attempting to use Afghanistan as a proxy against Pakistan. ‘However, we possess the capability to counter such conspiracies,’ he maintained.
The Speaker said that Pakistan hosted Afghan refugees for decades, but if challenges have now emerged, the state will be compelled to take appropriate action.
Speaking about legislative affairs, he noted that the Punjab Assembly rules were aligned with those of the National Assembly. ‘If any law gives excessive powers to an individual or institution, I oppose it,’ he remarked.
Later, during the question hour in PA session, MPA Shaukat Bhatti pointed out the absence of the Secretary and officers of the Housing, Urban Development, and PHED. Speaker directed the Parliamentary Secretary to summon the Secretary and Special Secretary immediately.
Expressing his displeasure over their absence from the House, Speaker adjourned the session for 10 minutes. Opposition leader in PA, Moin-ud-Din Qureshi, criticised the government while waving a tomato in the House. He said that health facilities in Punjab are deteriorating. Two months ago, 15 to 20 newborns died at DHQ hospital Pakpattan, he added.
‘Healthcare is the govt’s fundamental responsibility, but we in the opposition kept shouting about the wheat scandal,’ he said. He noted that wheat purchased at Rs2,000 per maund is now being sold at Rs3,800. ‘The price of a loaf of bread has increased by Rs5, and a single tomato now costs Rs75. Onions are Rs200 a kilo and capsicum has reached Rs400,’ he said.
‘For God’s sake, the poor are crushed under electricity, gas bills and their children’s school fees’ he said, and added that good governance doesn’t come through slogans you have to go into the field to deliver it.
He claimed that 650 extrajudicial killings had taken place in the past year.
‘Whether it is the May 9 incident, the November 24 incident, or what happened in Azad Kashmir or Muridke, a judicial commission should be formed and investigations must be held,’ he demanded. He pointed out that air pollution in Lahore reached alarming levels, saying a day ago, the AQI was 175, and today it has risen to 225. Qureshi said the KP chief minister had twice been denied permission to meet the PTI founder in Adiala Jail, despite court orders.
‘The KP chief minister is being forcibly stopped from meeting the PTI founder,’ he stated.
Moreover, the membership of suspended MPAs of Opposition was restored and Ejaz Shafi as well as Sheikh Imtiaz attended the session.
They were accorded warm welcome by the Opposition members on their arrival to the House. Sheikh Imtiaz stated he was suspended for 15 sittings just because he pointed out quorum which was against the spirit of the House.
Ejaz Shafi said that Opposition's right to express couldn't be suppressed. Later, the session was adjourned over lack of quorum.
