LAHORE, May 23: Noisy scenes witnessed in both houses of parliament on controversy over the LFO are likely to be repeated by opposition parties in the Punjab Assembly here on the issue of development funds, political sources say.

Opposition parties told the Punjab government in plain terms on Friday that they would not let the assembly session, due to begin on Monday, transact any business in case no decision was taken by then on development funds for the constituencies of their legislators.

They also made it clear that they would not let the government have the provincial budget for the new fiscal passed unless opposition lawmakers were treated at par with those on treasury benches.

The PPP and the PML-N representatives reportedly conveyed these views at a meeting with Law Minister Basharat Raja in the speaker’s chamber held to discuss the agenda for the session which will continue for a week.

Though the MMA was also represented at the meeting, its leader said he had not been taken into confidence on the question of protest.

However, he supported the demand that development funds should be allocated for all constituencies without any discrimination.

PPP’s Qasim Zia and Samiullah, PML-N’s Rana Sanaullah Khan and Sheikh Amjad Aziz and MMA’s Ehsanullah Waqas participated in the meeting in the presence of Speaker Afzal Sahi.

Opposition legislators said they would not approach the government for funds and it would have to take a policy decision on the subject on its own.

The law minister told them that he would convey their views to Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, due to return home on Saturday after performing Umra.

He denied the impression that the government was accepting development schemes proposed by the defeated candidates of the ruling party.

Rana Sanaullah also handed over a draft resolution to the law minister recommending to the federal government that the dispute on the LFO and the restoration of the 1973 Constitution should be resolved in a democratic manner. The proposed resolution also praises the constitutional committee for its recommendation that the offices of the president and the army chief be separated.

The leader from Faisalabad also indicated that permission for the exiled leaders to return home could also be sought through the resolution.

The law minister said a bill to enhance the limit of taxable agricultural land to 12.5 acres would be tabled in the house.

Also, he said, legislation on the working of the health institutions in the light of Justice Mujaddid Mirza’s report would also be carried out.

Another subject on the agenda is the bill on the salaries and allowances of the Punjab Assembly employees.

Rana Sanaullah said law and order situation, price hike, growing joblessness and friction between the district and the provincial governments would also be taken up in the session.

He was critical of the Punjab chief minister’s supportive views on the president continuing as army chief as well.