Punjab Assembly Speaker Seeks Disqualification of 26 PTI MPs for Chaos

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan on Thursday moved the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to seek the disqualification of 26 PTI-backed suspended opposition members for causing disruption during the budget session. The speaker confirmed that he had submitted the reference and met with ECP officials in Islamabad for legal advice.

The disqualification reference was made following unrest during the provincial assembly budget session where opposition members disrupted proceedings. The speaker suspended the opposition members for 15 assembly sessions under Rule 210(3) of the Rules of Procedure 1997.

Lawmakers failing to uphold the constitution were deemed unfit to remain in the provincial assembly, as stated by the speaker. He warned that MPs engaging in abusive language, vandalism, and disruptive behavior would not be shown leniency.

The reference filed against PTI-backed MPs includes a list of names. Additionally, 10 opposition lawmakers were fined over Rs2 million for vandalism acts, such as breaking microphones, based on video evidence.

Those fined will have to pay Rs203,550 each. According to the source: The News International.