Latest news with #Rule223
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Fate of suspended MPAs in limbo as talks stall
The negotiation committees of the treasury and opposition lawmakers in the Punjab Assembly met again on Thursday to resolve the matter of the suspension of 26 PTI MPAs. The two sides have yet to agree on what constitutes a rightful protest and what is a ruckus. The treasury has linked the restoration of the 26 suspended MPAs with the Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan's final ruling. However, the opposition has warned that its MPAs will not attend any assembly sessions until the suspended lawmakers are restored. In the third round of talks, the negotiation committee apparently agreed to run the house in accordance with the decisions of the business advisory committee and the Rule 223 of Rules of Procedure of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab 1997. An insider wishing not to be named told The Express Tribune that the opposition did not fulfill the demand of the treasury to give documented assurance of the compliance of five conditions placed before them. The treasury's side was of the view that everyone speaking in the house must be given respect, heard without interruption, sloganeering and noise. The treasury said there should be no room for any abusive and violent conduct. The opposition said they discourage abusive and violent conduct but protest is their right. The treasury agreed with it but noted that there are democratic ways of protest which need to be adopted. Talking to the media later, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman said the government and opposition sides agreed on few conditions. However, he said, assembly rules are very clear. "No one in the house including Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Opposition leader Malik Ahamd Khan Bhachar will be interrupted," he said. Bhachar in his media talk did not confirm that the opposition agreed not to stage any protest or chant slogans during anyone's speech in the house. Sources privy to this matter said it seemed the opposition was given a safe exit in the name of negotiation after strong pressure and criticism over suspension of 26 MPAs. He quoted opposition lawmakers saying that no one could stop them from exercising their right of protest. No doubt, rules restrain lawmakers from interrupting while someone is speaking but it does not mean that their right of protest will be snatched which the rules allow them. However, both sides termed the third round of talks as a successful round. Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan suspended 26 PTI MPAs on June 27 for creating "disruption, ruckus and chanting indecent slogans" during the speech of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in the houseunder rule 210 (3) of the Rules of Procedure, Provincial Assembly of the Punjab, 1997. After that the speaker received applications from some treasury lawmakers seeking disqualification of aforementioned MPAs under Article 63(2) read with Article 113 of the Constitution. Speaker Khan provided an opportunity of hearing to the suspended MPA, under Article 10-A of the Constitution, to the PTI's suspended 26 MPAs in his chamber at Punjab Assembly. Later on, a negotiation committee, consisting of PMLN, allied parties and PTI was constituted. The speaker on Tuesday issued a press release clarifying that members suspended under Rule 210 of the Rules of Procedure 1997 would be entitled to vote in the said election.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Negotiations over 26 suspended MPAs may reach a deadlock
The government's insistence on obtaining a written commitment from the Opposition to abide by five key conditions, including Rule 223 of the Assembly Rules is threatening to derail ongoing negotiations over the suspension of 26 MPAs. Sources told The Express Tribune that treasury benches are pushing for a documented assurance. However, this demand has not been extensively discussed among Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers, many of whom are preoccupied with the party's recently launched movement. A final decision is expected during an upcoming parliamentary party meeting, but most lawmakers reportedly oppose submitting any assurance in writing to the negotiation committee. The five conditions set by the committee include: refraining from foul language, sloganeering, human rights violations, strict adherence to Rule 223 of the Punjab Assembly Rules of Procedure (1997), and the provision of a documented commitment from the Opposition. Read: Punjab speaker offers suspended PTI MPAs chance to present their case According to sources, the Opposition plans to persuade the committee to drop the demand for a written commitment. They view the condition as an attempt to enforce silence during Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's speech something the Opposition has vowed to resist. Several MPAs argued that reiterating what is already codified in the rules is unnecessary. Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, has repeatedly emphasized the requirement for a written assurance, citing the Opposition's past failures to honor verbal agreements. The Opposition is expected to argue that this approach curtails their right to protest in the assembly a forum they see as essential for expressing dissent, especially in the face of alleged mistreatment of PTI leaders and workers outside the House. While the government is focused particularly on securing assurance against disruption during speeches, the Opposition may either refuse or provide only a verbal commitment leaving room for potential breaches based on future circumstances. However, a faction within PTI suggests that submitting a written assurance, even temporarily, could help defuse tensions and prevent Speaker Khan from initiating disqualification references with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Sources also noted that responsibility for the June 27 assembly chaos cannot rest solely on PTI, as PML-N lawmakers were equally involved in the scuffle that erupted during the chief minister's address. PTI legislators have also been denied access to CCTV footage of the incident, they said. Speaker Khan is reportedly abroad for three weeks but may chair the next session online via Zoom. In informal conversations with reporters, he acknowledged previously allowing the House to be held "hostage" out of leniency toward the Opposition, a stance he now regrets. 'There is a right to protest, but also a right to speak and everyone must be heard respectfully,' he said. 'Enough is enough. No hooliganism will be tolerated, come what may.' He clarified that he would not condone character assassination or prevent any member from speaking. However, he drew a firm line against mob behavior, aggression, and acts such as book-throwing labeling them completely unacceptable.
Express Tribune
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PA speaker seeks orderly conduct pledge from MPAs
Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan wants the opposition in to give a written assurance of strict compliance with various conditions, including firmly following the rules of procedure. Speaking to reporters, the speaker, who is apparently under pressure to send disqualification references against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) 26 suspended MPAs, cited constitutional grounds for the move. He said he had earlier let the house made hostage and favoured the opposition but this would not happen now. He accused the opposition of misusing his lenience. "The opposition will have to strictly implement the Rule 223 of the Rules of Procedure and there will be no compromise in future over abusive, humiliating and violent conduct," he made clear. The speaker said little noise had been raised during speeches of the leaders of the house in past but no one had used the derogatory, inhumane, immoral and disrespectful language uttered by the PTI lawmakers during the recent speech of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. "If there is a right of protest then there is also a right to speak wherein everyone should be respectfully heard," he said. "Enough is enough, no hooliganism will be tolerated now, come what may," Speaker Khan warned. He said the opposition had backpedaled over its commitments previously and that was why he required the commitment to comply with the conditions in black and white. The speaker said he wanted to run the house smoothly, where every member, including women, could express their views without disruption. "There are some democratic norms that should be followed by the opposition by giving respect to others if they want respect for themselves," he added. He said Article 63(2) of the Constitution states that it is the speaker who decides whether a question arises regarding the disqualification of a member. If the speaker does not make a decision within 30 days, the matter is automatically referred to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). He stated that he had received three applications from Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Ahmad Iqbal and Iftikhar Chachar, which were not references but constitutional applications that must be decided strictly in accordance with the Constitution. Malik Muhammad Ahmad recalled that in 2017, 22 MNAs of PTI had approached Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, demanding action under Article 63(2) on the basis of a statement by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. When the matter was not resolved within 30 days, the Supreme Court took suo motu notice, which was constitutionally controversial, he added. He said he had encouraged both the government and opposition to resolve matters through dialogue. Discussions were held on five key points, with both sides agreeing that foul language, sloganeering and violations of human rights would be unacceptable in the house, and that the Constitution must be fully respected, he added. The speaker said there had never been chaos in the house during a chief minister's speech. While the opposition has the constitutional right to protest, it is equally important to uphold parliamentary norms and the sanctity of the house. He reiterated that he does not believe in character assassination or humiliation of any member, nor will he prevent anyone from speaking. However, mob behaviour, aggressive conduct, and acts such as throwing books are unacceptable. He said the speaker of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly had sent him a letter regarding the suspension of opposition members, to which a detailed response along with constitutional interpretations would be sent. The Punjab Assembly speaker said his goal is not to undermine anyone but to protect the sanctity of the house while remaining within the constitutional framework. He said a decision would be made soon, and whatever would be decided would be documented and agreed upon by both the government and the opposition to ensure a more conducive atmosphere in the house for moving forward.
