A heated session of the Punjab Assembly on Monday witnessed sharp exchanges between treasury and opposition members, repeated quorum issues, and strong allegations from both sides, ultimately leading to the adjournment of proceedings.
The sitting, chaired by Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Chanar, was adjourned until 2 pm on Tuesday after the quorum was pointed out for the third time and found incomplete.
Tensions escalated when opposition member Sardar Muhammad Ali Khan used harsh language against the provincial government, prompting loud protests from treasury benches. Government members rose from their seats and chanted slogans, with MPA Tariq Masih leading the protest.
During the session, the Deputy Speaker announced the resignation of opposition member Nadeem Qureshi, stating that claims of oppression during the tenure of Pervaiz Elahi were not substantiated.
Zaheer Iqbal Chanar strongly defended his stance, claiming that past incidents of violence inside the assembly were real. “The walls of this House bear witness to what happened,” he said, adding that he was willing to step down if contrary evidence was presented. He alleged that individuals in civilian clothes had attacked members inside the assembly during previous political turmoil.
Opposition members countered with their own accusations. Nadeem Qureshi claimed that members, including Dost Mazari, had faced attacks despite holding majority support at the time.
Amid the uproar, treasury member Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman warned that the government had the strength to overpower the opposition if it chose to do so.
Despite the charged atmosphere, the Deputy Speaker remarked that the opposition was being given ample opportunity to speak, contrasting it with what he described as past treatment of treasury members.
With tensions running high and quorum repeatedly lacking, the session was eventually adjourned, leaving key legislative business pending.