LAHORE:
A charged session unfolded in the Punjab Assembly as opposition lawmakers lashed out at the government over what they termed “scripted” and “politically motivated” sentences awarded to PTI lawmakers, workers, and supporters by anti-terrorism courts in the May 9 cases.
Deputy Opposition Leader Muhammad Moeenuddin Riaz led the criticism, declaring that the ATC verdicts not only undermined justice but also deepened the political divide.
“Try whatever you can, but you cannot erase Imran Khan from people’s hearts,” he said, accusing the government of prioritising political vendettas over pressing national issues like flood management.
He further alleged that public funds were being spent on orchestrating cases against PTI members instead of addressing ground realities.
In protest, the opposition staged a token boycott of the proceedings, briefly exiting the House.
Responding to the protest, PML-N’s Chief Whip Rana Muhammad Arshad condemned the PTI’s stance, questioning their moral authority to speak of justice after the May 9 violence. He accused the opposition of supporting sedition and undermining state institutions.
Treasury MPA Amjad Ali Javed raised a separate issue, highlighting the misuse of Section 97-A of the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2016 by a traffic warden and a police official. He claimed the section had yet to be officially enforced and demanded action. The matter was referred to the relevant committee.
Javed also urged the government to fulfill its 3% job quota for special persons, claiming implementation remains insufficient. In a similar vein, Treasury MPA Sohail Khan Zahid requested that agriculture taxes be waived in flood-hit areas.
IPP’s Muhammad Shoaib Siddiqui called on Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to address poor drainage conditions in Lahore’s Railway Colony and adjacent areas following recent rains.
Upon returning from their walkout, opposition members attempted to resume speeches against the ATC sentences, but the chair did not grant permission. This led to further sloganeering from the opposition benches.
As tensions escalated, a lawmaker pointed out the lack of quorum. With insufficient members present to continue proceedings, the chair adjourned the session until 2 pm on July 28.
