PA speaker justifies action to unseat opposition MPAs

LAHORE: Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmed Khan has defended the references filed against the opposition members in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday.

Addressing a media conference, Malik said that he has always tried to discharge his duties fairly as the custodian of the house.

“I have always acted as a good custodian of the House, but I cannot permit the use of vulgar language on the assembly floor,” he said.

“Tearing budget documents, climbing on desks, cannot be justified as democratic expression,” he said while adding that the right to protest must be within constitutional limits.

“While I oppose Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution… they do grant the speaker the authority to take action when lawmakers violate the rules of parliamentary conduct.” He added.

The speaker noted that Articles 62 and 63 are  “remnants of dictatorship.”

“It cannot be that these articles are selectively used. Either remove them from the Constitution or apply them uniformly,” he stated.

“If a prime minister can be disqualified on false statements, then those who disrupt the sanctity of the House must also be held accountable,” he added.

The PMLN leader also offers the opposition for talks, “Sit down and talk. There’s still time,” he said adding that the assembly cannot be allowed to become a theatre of chaos.

Days before his press conference, Malik Ahmad submitted a disqualification referral to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against 26 opposition MPAs supported by the PTI.

Following the disturbances during the Punjab Assembly budget session, when opposition members yelled and interrupted the proceedings, the disqualification reference was submitted.