LAHORE:Despite an ongoing austerity drive, the session of the Punjab Assembly began with a delay of around two and a half hours.
During the sitting, the Excise Department responded to questions raised by members. Two bills were introduced, while both the government and opposition exchanged critical remarks over the law and order situation. The session commenced under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channar. Opposition member Mian Ejaz Shafi alleged that the Leader of the Opposition and five other members were unlawfully detained for ten hours.
In response, PPP member Mumtaz Chang said that they too had previously been denied the opportunity to speak, faced FIRs, and had their homes raided. Responding to the opposition’s allegations, govt members strongly defended their position. Law Minister Rana Iqbal and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman rejected the opposition’s stance, asserting that the government was fully present and accountable in the House. They also accused the opposition of not taking the assembly proceedings seriously. During the Question Hour, a detailed discussion took place on the performance of the Excise Department, the tax system, and penalties. The government termed the Capital Value Tax system transparent and claimed it had significantly reduced corruption. After completion of the agenda, the Punjab Assembly session was adjourned until 11am on Thursday (today) by a member of the Panel of Chairpersons, Samiullah Khan.
