LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Saturday suspended 26 opposition lawmakers for 15 days following a heated protest during Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s appearance in the House.
The suspended members, primarily from the opposition benches, had disrupted Friday’s session by chanting slogans, waving placards, and interrupting the proceedings as the chief minister addressed the assembly.
Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan announced the suspensions, citing violations of assembly rules and a breach of parliamentary decorum.
“This House cannot be allowed to descend into chaos,” the Speaker declared. “Order must be upheld at all costs.”
Opposition parties condemned the move, calling it undemocratic and an attempt to silence dissent.
A senior PTI leader, reacting to the suspension, said:
“Even if you expel them for 15 years, the resistance against this government will not stop.”
They also announced plans to protest both inside and outside the assembly.
PML-N Defends Action
Members of the ruling PML-N defended the Speaker’s decision, arguing that maintaining discipline was essential for the legislature to function effectively.
“No democratic system can allow such disorder,” a PML-N lawmaker said. “The opposition crossed all limits.”
The incident has further deepened tensions between the treasury and opposition benches in the Punjab Assembly, as political temperatures continue to rise in the province.
