LAHORE: Opposition parties on Monday walked out of the Punjab Assembly against the killing of two lawyers in Daska and the deteriorating law and order situation in the province.

The house also adopted a unanimous resolution against the Daska incident.

Led by Opposition leader Mian Mahmoodur Rashid, the opposition held a token boycott of the session and shouted slogans against the Punjab government for its failure to maintain law and order in the province. They said Punjab had become a police state.

Upon return to the house, Rashid presented a resolution demanding strict action against those involved in the killing of the lawyers at the hands of the Daska station house officer. The house adopted the resolution unanimously.

During a discussion on law and order, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) Aslam Iqbal drew attention towards 277pc increase in crime in Punjab in 2015 as compared to the corresponding period last year. He told Deputy Speaker Sher Ali Gorchani, who was presiding over the session, that dacoits were so powerful in his district -- Rajanpur district-- that they abducted policemen and the government was helpless.

Iqbal further said the rulers were more interested in their own security and protocol. The chief minister had miserably failed to change ‘thana culture’. He said the Punjab government should spend on infrastructure and elimination of the thana culture. He further said police had sought Rs70 million from the Punjab government for installation of lights, boundary wall and CCTV cameras at the Raiwind residence of the Sharif family. He claimed millions of rupees were being spent on security of the rulers who were least interested in protecting life of the common man.

On a point of order, PML-N’s Shahzad Munshi drew the attention of the chair toward the Sanda incident, saying there should be a law to address ‘mob reaction’ in the wake of any incident. Home Minister retired Col Shuja Khanzada said there had been a law, adding that timely action by police and Rangers had averted a major law and order situation. He further said interfaith harmony should be promoted and suggestions in this regard should come from the members.

The house passed the Fatima Jinanh Medical University Lahore Bill 2015. The opposition withdrew the amendments to hold a debate on law and order situation in the province.

Referring to a news report, PML-N’s Shiekh Allauddin said the court decisions on the status of the university should be considered while passing the bill.

The Provincial Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Bill 2015, The Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (Amendment) Bill 2015, The Punjab Motor Vehicle Transaction Licences Bill 2015 and The Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Bill 2015 were tabled in the house and referred to the standing committees.

The speaker prorogued the session for an indefinite period.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2015

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