Lahore:
The main representatives of the cash and opposition benches should establish reference conditions (twists) in the coming days, aimed at regulating the future procedures of the Punjab assembly and to discourage humiliation, abusive exchanges and violent conduct between legislators.
The development follows a first advisory meeting between the president of the Punjab assembly, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan and 26 amp suspended from Pakistan Tehreek-E-insaf (PTI) on the disqualification references filed against them.
The two parties would have agreed to form a joint committee of higher members to make the consultation process more effective and explore constitutional, legal and parliamentary solutions to the dead end.
It should be mentioned that President Khan had received disqualification references against these AMPs currently suspended under article 63, paragraph 2, read with article 113 of the Constitution.
It is its constitutional obligation to decide these references within 30 days, as stipulated in said provisions.
Consequently, the speaker had summoned the AMP suspended for an audience under article 10-A of the Constitution by July 11 (yesterday) in his room in the Punjab assembly.
A reliable source, addressing the Express PK Press Club in the state of anonymity, said that the speaker’s decision to suspend 26 MPa and subsequently refer the case to the Pakistan Electoral Commission (ECP) served a double objective: first, this helped dispel the perceptions within his party to promote opposition; Second, he brought the opposition to the negotiating table under the pretext of the reference to disqualification, thus creating a space to supervise twists according to mutually agreed.
The source added that the atmosphere of the meeting was cordial and a second series of talks can take place on Sunday or the next day.
The two parties can appoint three or four members each to train the joint committee responsible for writing twists to ensure that the members abstain from abusive, humiliating or violent driving.
A key point considered is that each member must be heard respectfully in the room, without interruptions, before answers are made.
If the opposition always feels obliged to protest, they can do so in accordance with democratic parliamentary norms and without resorting to derogatory language or physical disruption.
The treasure still discusses whether the twists should specifically mention the chief minister Maryam Nawaz, ensuring that his speeches, as well as those of the opposition chief Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar and others, proceed without disruption, or if the document should adopt a broader principle indicating that all the speeches of the members should be maintained and that the disturbances should be processed.
According to the source, the opposition may find it difficult to remain calm during the speeches of Maryam Nawaz.
However, they should recognize that, although protest is their democratic law, they do not support abusive or violent conduct.
In future sessions, they can restrict protests to their designated benches rather than gathering in front of the speaker’s platform.
First round of meeting
During the first series of talks, chaired by President Khan in his room, the Treasury representatives and the deputies suspended from the PTI, led by the opposition chief Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, proposed a initiating mutual dialogue.
The speaker warmly welcomed this proposal.
President Khan began the meeting by referring to previous political regimes and then stressed the importance of democratic conduct within the Assembly.
“Dialogue and consultation are the essence of parliamentary democracy. Each disagreement can be resolved by a positive, dignified and constitutional approach,” said the president.
The two parties have demonstrated a desire to put aside their differences and proceed in accordance with democratic standards.
Background
President Khan has often been considered sympathetic to the opposition, regularly allowing their members enough to speak during the procedures, including on the points of the order.
It was also noted to sometimes take a severe tone with the members of the treasure.
Over time, this approach has led to an increasing perception of the treasury legislators that the speaker favored the opposition disproportionately.
They argued that it should limit the floor time of the opposition and adopt a stricter posture.
However, President Khan argued that it was necessary to transport both sides and that taking punitive measures on minor offenses was not appropriate.
Although her reconciliation approach was appreciated by the opposition, she created discomfort in the treasury benches. Finally, the Treasury began to ignore the demonstrations and disturbances of the opposition to the Chamber, especially during the speeches of CM Maryam Nawaz.
Sometimes opposition legislators were even seen confined to their seats rather than protesting before the speaker’s platform.
The speaker and the treasure had long urged the opposition to maintain peace and decorum during the addresses of the chief minister.
However, the opposition seemed to take advantage of the leniency of the speaker, praising his neutrality while continuing to disturb the procedures during the speeches of Maryam Nawaz, despite the contrary insurance.
This tension culminated during the recent budgetary session. On June 27, when CM Maryam Nawaz delivered his speech, the opposition appeared particularly aggressive, perhaps embraced by the decision of the Supreme Court on the issue of reserved seats.
President Khan was under pressure to maintain order, while the treasure expected the opposition honors past understanding. However, the decision of the Supreme Court radically changed the atmosphere.
The opposition left no stone not returned to disturb the discourse of the CM, encouraging the speaker to move forward with disqualification references.
The speaker’s decision to initiate the references aroused public criticism, many arguing that PTI had already been politically cornered.
Several PML-N legislators have also advised the speaker to resolve the case within the Assembly, rather than climbing it to the ECP.
