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, under Article 10-A of the Constitution.
The MPAs had been suspended by Khan due to their disruptive, abusive, and violative conduct during a session of the Assembly. The decision comes after they caused a ruckus and chanted indecent slogans during Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s speech on June 16.
Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar confirmed to The Express Tribune that consultations with their legal team are ongoing regarding the speaker’s offer. When asked whether they would avail themselves of this opportunity, Bhachar stated that a decision would be made during their parliamentary meeting on Friday.
A reliable source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The Express Tribune that most PTI MPAs are inclined to accept the speaker’s offer to present their case. They aim to ask Khan whether MPAs can be suspended for protesting during a speech by the chief minister.
Read More: Punjab speaker moves to disqualify 26 MPAs
It is important to note that the speaker has also received references for the disqualification of these suspended MPAs under Article 63(2), read with Article 113 of the Constitution. He is obligated to decide these references within 30 days, as stipulated by the Constitution.
The list of suspended PTI MPAs includes: Malik Fahad Masood (PP-13), Muhammad Tanveer Aslam (PP-19), Syed Riffat Mehmood (PP-24), Yasir Mehmood Qureshi (PP-25), Kaleem Ullah Khan (PP-60), Muhammad Ansar Iqbal (PP-73), Ali Asif (PP-75), Zulifqar Ali (PP-76), Ahmad Mujtaba Chaudhary (PP-99), Shahid Javed (PP-115), Muhammad Ismael (PP-116), Khayal Ahmad (PP-118), Shahbaz Ahmad (PP-130), Tayyab Rashid (PP-141), Imtiaz Mehmood (PP-155), Ali Imtiaz (PP-156), Rashid Tufail (PP-175), Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal (PP-203), Khalid Zubair Nisar (PP-231), Chaudhry Muhammad Ejaz Shafi (PP-258), Samia Kanwal (PP-260), Muhammad Naeem (PP-263), Sajjad Ahmad (PP-265), Rana Aurang Zaib (PP-276), Shuaib Ameer (PP-281), and Usama Asghar Ali Gujjar (PP-282).
These MPAs were suspended on June 27, as per Rule 210(3) of the Rules of Procedure of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab, 1997, for their disruptive behavior and chanting of indecent slogans during the speech by CM Maryam.
In a related matter, Khan has also sought the recovery of damages amounting to Rs2,035,000 from 10 PTI MPAs (Rs203,550 each). The amount is to cover damages for mounting desks and breaking eight microphones during the protest on June 16, when the provincial government presented its budget.
Also Read: Punjab MPAs: PTI vows legal battle, protests
On June 28, he took further action against Opposition MPA Hassan Malik (PP-81) for throwing a budget speech book at Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman. Khan ordered that Malik remain absent from the Assembly until the prorogation of the current session.
In a ruling issued on June 24, the speaker emphasised the importance of maintaining the decorum and dignity of the Assembly. He stated that all members, irrespective of political affiliation, must uphold the dignity of the Assembly to ensure that parliamentary proceedings proceed without disruption.
“I shall take all steps within the legal framework to maintain order and uphold the dignity of this august House and its members,” Khan warned, responding to Opposition Leader Bhachar’s assertion that protesting is a constitutional right.
To clarify whether the right to protest and freedom of expression in the Assembly have reasonable limitations, the speaker referred to Rule 223 of the Rules of Procedure, enacted under 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 aligns with the principles of decorum and order.
