LAHORE: Treasury in Punjab Assembly on Monday blasted Imran Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadri for what it called posing a threat to the democratic system and presented a pro-democracy resolution in support of the prime minister and the chief minister.

The National Assembly has already passed a pro-democracy resolution.

It was the first assembly session after the Pakistan Tahreek-i-Insaf members tendered their resignations which were yet to be accepted by the speaker.

Only five members of the opposition parties– Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid – were present in the house. In the absence of the PTI members, it was a smooth sailing for the speaker.

Once the agenda of the day was completed, Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, who recently got additional portfolio of law and parliamentary affairs, presented the resolution that vowed to face the “conspiracy against democracy” and expressed its confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

PML-N’s Rana Arshad asked the leaders of the protesting parties to reveal the funding source of their public rallies.

Tahir Khalil Sindhu of the treasury said Mr Qadri was misguiding the people about distribution of money among the flood-hit.

Ilays Chinoiti declared that anti-Pakistan and anti-Islam activities were going on at sit-ins. Qamar Islam Raja found the sit-ins “a conspiracy” against “energy”. “The government was going to overcome energy crisis with the help of China but the sit-ins caused hindrance,” he said.

Waris Kalu said Imran Khan and Dr Qadri’s joint protest was not a coincidence as it was an attempt to topple the government.

Abdul Rauf Mughal lauded the army for playing “a positive role” by supporting democracy despite protesters’ highhandedness. Bao Akhtar appreciated Javed Hashmi for exposing the “conspiracy”.

PML-Q’s Amer Sultan Cheema termed the resolution unnecessary saying nobody was against democracy.

He said the sit-ins in Islamabad had actually strengthened democracy. “Had the government listened to the PTI’s grievances regarding opening of four constituency to verify rigging allegations this situation would not have arisen.” He also criticised the government for banning a private TV channel which he said was exposing its “wrongdoings”.

PPP’s Qazi Ahmed Saeed and Faiza Malik said the party was supporting democracy and the PML-N government.

Ms Malik questioned Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s absence from the house. “He (CM) does not seem to be interested in strengthening the house,” she commented.

She asked the speaker to call the PTI MPAs to the house. Speaker Rana Iqbal granted her wish and said the PTI members should come to the house.

The law minister also laid the Punjab Explosives Amendment Ordinance 2014, the Nur International University Lahore Ordinance 2014, The Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board Ordinance 2014, the Higher Education Commission Ordinance 2014 and the Punjab Local Government (second amendment) Ordinance in the house.

Some 57 MPAs mostly of treasury were not allowed to sit in the house for not submitting the details of their assets to the Election Commission.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2014