Lahore:
Punjab assembly speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has offered an opportunity for the 26 suspended Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAS) to present their case on Friday in his chamber in accordance with Article 10-A in the Constitution.
The MPAs had been suspended by Khan because of their disturbing, violent and violated behavior during a collection in the assembly. The decision comes after they caused a ruckus and sang unseemly slogans under the Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz’s speech on June 16.
Opposition leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar confirmed to Express Pakinomist This consultation with their legal team is in the process of the speaker’s offer. When asked whether they would take advantage of this opportunity, Bhachar declared that a decision would be made during their parliamentary meeting on Friday.
A reliable source that speaks on condition of anonymity, told Express Pakinomist That most PTI MPAs tend to accept the speaker’s offer to present their case. They aim to ask Khan if MPAs can be suspended to protest during a speech from the minister of chief.
Read more: Punjab -Ataler moves to disqualify 26 MPAs
It is important to note that the speaker has also received references to disqualification of these suspended MPAs in accordance with Article 63 (2). 2, read with Article 113 of the Constitution. He is obliged to decide these references within 30 days, as stipulated in the Constitution.
The list of suspended PTI MPAs includes: Malik Fahad Masood (PP-13), Muhammad Tanveer Aslam (PP-19), Syed Riffat Mehmood (Ali Asif (PP-75), Zulifqar Ali (PP-76), Ahmad Mujtaba Chaudhary (PP-99), Shahid Javed (PP-115), Muhammad Ishmael (PP-116), Khayal Ahmad (PP-118), Shahbaz Ahmad (PP-130), Tayyab (PP-141), Imtiaz Mehmood (PP-155), Ali IMTIAZ (PP-156), Rashid Tufail (PP-145), Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal (PP-203), Khalid Zubair Nisar (PP-231), Chaudhry Muhammad Ejaz Shafi (PP-258), StruGiap Kanwal (PP-260), Muhammad Naeem (PP-263), Sajjad Ahmad (PP-265), Rana Aurang Zaib (PP-276), Shuaib Ameer (PP-281) and Usama Ashar Ali Gujjar (PP-282).
These MPAs were suspended on June 27 in accordance with Rule 210 (2).
In a related case, Khan has also sought recovery of damage to RS2,035,000 from 10 PTI MPAs (RS203,550 each). The amount is to cover damage for installing desks and breaking eight microphones during the protest on June 16, when the provincial government presented its budget.
ALSO READ: Punjab MPAS: PTI lifts legal battle, protests
On June 28, he took further steps towards Oppositions MPA Hassan Malik (PP-81) for throwing a budget speech book on Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja Ur Rehman. Khan ordered Malik to remain absent from the assembly until the prorogation of the current session.
In a decision issued on June 24, the speaker emphasized the importance of maintaining the collection and dignity of the assembly. He said that all members, regardless of political affiliation, must maintain the dignity of the assembly to ensure that parliamentary procedure continues without disturbance.
“I want to take all steps within the legal framework to maintain order and maintain the dignity of this August and its members,” Khan warned, responding to opposition leader Bhask’s claim that protest is a constitutional right.
In order to clarify whether the right to protest and freedom of expression in the assembly has reasonable restrictions, the speaker referred to Rule 223 of the procedural rules adopted in accordance with Article 67, read with Article 127 of the Constitution. This rule sets a code of conduct for members in the assembly, ensuring that their behavior is in line with the principles of decorum and order.
