The Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmed Khan suspended 26 members of the opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), for disrupting Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s speech and causing chaos in the assembly session.

The Assembly Secretariat confirmed that the suspension was issued under Rule 210(3) of the Assembly Rules, barring the members from attending the next 15 assembly sittings.

During the session, opposition members shouted slogans, engaged in physical shoving, and tore official documents, violating the assembly’s rules of conduct.

The Speaker “condemned” their behavior, saying such disorderly conduct damages the dignity and discipline of the House.

He acknowledged that while protesting is a right of assembly members, it must follow the limits set by the Constitution and parliamentary procedures. The Speaker emphasized that maintaining order in the assembly is essential and will be strictly enforced.

The suspended lawmakers include Malik Fahad Masood, Muhammad Tanveer Aslam, SSyed Riffat Mehmood, Yasir Mahmood, Kaleem Ullah, Ansar Iqbal, Ali Asif, Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Ahmad Mujtaba Chaudhary, Imtiaz Mehmood, Ali Imtiaz, Muhammad Ejaz Shafi, Sajjad Ahmad, and others.

The suspension came after the opposition’s loud protests disrupted the assembly during the Chief Minister’s address, forcing the Speaker to take action to uphold the assembly’s dignity and ensure smooth proceedings.

Speaker of Punjab Assembly announces referral against 26 PTI members

Punjab Assembly Speaker Khan has announced that the assembly will send a formal reference against 26 members of PTI.

He said the opposition leader informed him that several PTI members are defying the instructions of their parliamentary leader, which he described as a serious violation of constitutional and parliamentary norms.

Khan stated that the references against these members who refuse to follow their parliamentary leader’s directives will be forwarded to the relevant forums in accordance with assembly rules.

He emphasized his ongoing commitment to upholding the Constitution, laws, and democratic and parliamentary values, adding that protecting the assembly’s dignity is the responsibility of every member.

The Speaker criticized the opposition’s conduct in the assembly as deeply regrettable.

He recalled that PTI had leveled rigging allegations in 2014 and claimed that the party is once again trying to hold the assembly hostage through disruptive behavior.

Malik Ahmed Khan asserted that the ruling party holds a clear majority in the Punjab Assembly and will not allow the system to be undermined by the unruly actions of a few individuals.

Punjab Assembly Speaker noted that the opposition was given sufficient time to speak, but responded with disorderly and aggressive conduct.

The Speaker questioned who was responsible for setting fire to the Corps Commander’s House and the Radio Pakistan building, who freed prisoners from Mianwali jail, who attacked courts with armed men, and who led a convoy of 500 vehicles in a march on the federal government.

Khan further alleged that 50 to 60 opposition members have repeatedly engaged in hooliganism and attacked government benches during assembly sessions.

He also mentioned that over 37 election petitions have been filed against members in the Punjab Assembly, with all cases being handled by established rules and regulations.

The Speaker concluded by reaffirming his constitutional and ethical duty to ensure that the assembly functions within the framework of the Constitution.