The Punjab government has decided to stop new punitive measures against suspended members of Pakistan Tehreek-E-insaf (PTI) of Asemly (AMP) province in the midst of current negotiations.
Opposition legislators were suspended by the president of the Punjab assembly, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, following chaotic scenes in the House on June 27, when members on both sides of the aisle embarked on a physical altercation during the address of chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
In an effort to resolve the dead end, the speaker had formed a negotiation committee for eight members including members of the Treasury and the Opposition.
The committee held two series of conferences, the last Sunday evening. Although no official breakthrough was made during these meetings, government sources said on Tuesday that certain progress had been made, which made a decision to defuse.
Learn more: No progress in talks on the MPA PTI suspended; Dialogue to continue
According to Express News, the president ordered the assembly secretariat and members of the government to suspend any other action against the opposition until the talks produce conclusive results.
The assembly secretariat had initially planned additional measures against 19 AMP of the suspended opposition, including fines imposed at 10 of them for an alleged vandalism in the House. These fines, as well as the second opinion and deductions of wages, have now been interrupted.
Sources have indicated that the legislators suspended had been collectively sentenced to a fine of 20 million rupees and had already received a deadline for one week to pay or deal with a stricter action. However, these implementing measures have now been selected pending the outcome of the current dialogue.
In addition, the government has also suspended plans to file trusted requests against nine other presidents of opposition from permanent committees. Previously, four of these presidents had already been removed by similar movements.
According to government sources, a total of 13 opposition legislators had to be withdrawn from their committee position as part of the disciplinary response to the events of June 27. This plan was also suspended in the light of negotiations.
