PML-N protests ban on entry of 6 MPAs in Punjab Assembly

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders announced on Friday they would not attend any session of the Punjab Assembly until a ban is lifted on the entry of six of their MPAs to the House.

Six PML-N MPAs were barred from entering the House after they allegedly caused chaos and destroyed government property during a budget session on October 16.

While speaking to the media and party workers during the protest, Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz criticised the speaker, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi.

“The seat of Punjab Assembly speaker is occupied by a person who stole 12 votes,” Hamza said. “The speaker has also passed derogatory comments on women – Pervez Elahi speaks more like a constable than a speaker.”

The party workers and leaders were seen protesting on the staircase outside the assembly, while a woman also fell unconscious during the demonstration. However, the session in the Punjab Assembly continued.

On the other hand, circular and photos of banned MPAs were given to security staff to stop them from entering the building.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Aleem Khan, who was also present on the assembly premises, spoke to the media, saying protesters ran away soon after initiating their demonstration.

“We stood our ground for 10 years when we were in opposition,” the PTI leader said. 

He also spoke about the charges on him, saying he has been falsely implicated. “I am not [even] connected to the housing society that is under discussion.”

The ban being criticised was imposed when opposition protested during the budget speech of Punjab Finance Minister Makhdoom Hashim Bakht on October 16 for fiscal year 2019-20.

The opposition members tore budget copies and damaged the furniture placed near the speaker’s dais.