Acting Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Zaheer Iqbal Chanar, has issued an immediate notification reinstating 26 suspended opposition members, allowing them to return to the House with immediate effect.
The members had earlier been suspended by Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan for causing disruptions during the budget session of the assembly. The speaker had also announced plans to file a reference with the Election Commission of Pakistan against the suspended lawmakers.
However, following successful negotiations between the government and the opposition, a consensus was reached to reinstate the suspended members.
On Tuesday, Acting Speaker Chanar formally issued the notification of reinstatement, directing that the members be allowed to attend assembly proceedings immediately so they could freely represent their constituencies.
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Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also wanted elected representatives to be present in the House and actively participate in parliamentary affairs.
“The assembly is incomplete without the opposition. With the restoration of these 26 members, they will now be able to better serve and represent their constituencies,” the finance minister stated, urging the opposition to play its constitutional role in the assembly.
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Following the reinstatement, opposition members returned to the House, where they were warmly welcomed with applause by the treasury benches.
Ali Raza, from the Panel of Chairpersons, also extended a warm welcome to the opposition members.
“Mr. Speaker, we welcome our colleagues from the opposition. We are pleased to see them back in the House,” said Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, acknowledging the significance of their return.
