Govt members oust four opposition members from committee chairs
LAHORE – In a major escalation of tensions in the Punjab Assembly, government members took decisive action against the opposition by successfully passing no-confidence motions to remove four opposition lawmakers from the chairmanship of key standing committees.
According to Assembly sources, formal notices were issued for the no-confidence moves, culminating in the removal of the opposition chairs. Saima Kanwal, a member of the opposition, lost her position as Chairperson of the Special Education Committee after the motion against her was carried.
Similarly, Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal was removed as Chairman of the Management and Professional Development Department Committee. Meanwhile, Muhammad Ansar Iqbal was ousted from his role as Chairman of the Standing Committee on Literacy and Non-Formal Basic Education.
Also, the standing committee on colonies removed adopted the motion for removal of Mohammd Ahsan Ali from the office of chairman of the said committee
These moves follow days of intensifying political confrontation in the House, with government legislators rallying to unseat opposition members from influential committee positions. Government members argued that opposition chairs were no longer fit to hold leadership roles given their disruptive conduct in the Assembly and recent protests against the Speaker and the Chief Minister.
The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, however, condemned the no-confidence motions as politically motivated, accusing the government of trying to silence dissent and undermine legislative oversight. The PTI argued that removing opposition members from committees was an attack on the basic democratic principle of allowing all sides a say in legislative scrutiny.
Political analysts see the moves as part of a broader strategy by the ruling party to tighten its control over Assembly proceedings following weeks of heated exchanges, suspensions of opposition lawmakers, and loud protests both inside and outside the Assembly building.
As the standoff deepens, the opposition has vowed to continue its protests and is weighing legal challenges against the Speaker’s actions and the government’s moves to sideline its members from key parliamentary roles.
OPPOSITION LEADER SLAMS PA SPEAKER
Flanked by suspended members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Speaker and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in a charged press conference held outside the Assembly premises.
Bhachar alleged that instead of upholding democratic and constitutional procedures, the provincial legislature was being run under the dominance of a single political family. “This is no longer a House of law—it has become a family fiefdom,” he declared.
He questioned the selective suspension of 26 opposition members following a protest in the House. “Everyone protested—why only suspend 26?” he asked, accusing the government of targeting the opposition through suspensions, fines, and now by pushing no-confidence motions to remove opposition lawmakers from key committee chairmanships.
“We are protesting against Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz because she must be held accountable for the injustices committed under her watch,” Bhachar said. “We will not remain silent in the face of oppression. Our protest will continue on every platform available.”
Bhachar criticized Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan for what he called biased conduct. “The Speaker lectures us on the Constitution and the law,” he said, “but according to him, the only punishment left for us is the death penalty.” He claimed that while opposition members were punished for protests, treasury lawmakers were praised for the same behavior.
“The Speaker is no longer the custodian of the House,” he asserted. “He has become partisan while pretending to be a champion of democracy.”
Bhachar further alleged that the suspension of 26 lawmakers was a strategic move to prevent the opposition from filing a requisition for a session. “Not a single piece of video evidence was shared with us. They just want to keep us out of the assembly for daring to question their actions.”
The opposition leader also dismissed any notion of compromise: “Do they think we will bow before them just for official vehicles? Never.”
He vowed to challenge every step taken by the Speaker in court, even though he expressed little hope for justice following the 26th Constitutional Amendment. “Still, we will approach the judiciary,” he said.
“We will no longer attend this Assembly as long as this Speaker continues to act unfairly. Our boycott will be a stain on the Speaker’s conduct. We will not bow before the Speaker or the government.”
Bhachar announced that until the suspended lawmakers are reinstated, the opposition will hold its own parallel assembly outside the official premises. “This current Assembly is a sham. These people should resign. We were elected by the genuine votes of the people,” he asserted.
