LAHORE, June 20: As light at the end of the tunnel disappeared, opposition legislators started speaker-bashing outside the Punjab Assembly. Top leaders of both the PPP and the PML-N, it is said, want the protest to continue even if some legislators are arrested. The instructions given in this regard by relevant quarters will, of course, be carried out.

Speaker Afzal Sahi, it appeared, wanted a face-saver before withdrawing his ruling whereby he had expelled 10 opposition MPs. An indication to this effect was given when he proposed the formation of a committee comprising representatives of the ruling party and the opposition.

“This committee should give me an assurance that unparliamentary language will not be used and the proceedings will be allowed to go on smoothly. Then I will think (of reviewing my ruling)”, he said.

This was a good proposal which should have been responded to positively by the opposition.

The young opposition leader, Qasim Zia, must bear in mind that retreat in such situations is not an easy task. And if the speaker has given an indication that he may be willing to withdraw his ban after being duly assured, he must have done so after clipping his ego.

But the opposition leader, perhaps, wanted the speaker to surrender unconditionally. The message being sent by the speaker was not being received by the opposition, and vice versa.

Consequently, tension persists and the opposition has announced a boycott of the budget session, which is expected to be prorogued today (Tuesday).

Back from Dubai after consultations with the party leadership, Qasim Zia wanted the speaker to take back the ruling passed on the basis of a treasury resolution. The ruling, if not withdrawn before it is too late, would set a bad precedent for the future generations, he said.

True; the house should not set bad precedents for the future but Mr Zia would do well to place himself in the speaker’s shoes for a while before making the demand.

The speaker had not sought to extract a very heavy price in exchange for reviewing his verdict. He was just seeking a face-saver, which should have been given to him.

Here one is reminded of an episode during the period of the Nawab of Kalabagh, when a labour leader had given a strike call for Wapda employees, asking them to effect a countrywide power shutdown. The call amounted to questioning the authority of the government. The Nawab reportedly summoned the labour leader (now dead) two days before the strike was to be observed. The latter was asked to reach the Governor’s House early in the morning.

The labour leader reached the Governor’s House bang on time. He was made to sit on a bench where he was kept waiting for the whole day.

The Nawab, after completing his day’s work and just before leaving the office, called in the labour leader.

“Will there be a power shutdown day after tomorrow?” he asked, pulling out his pistol and rotating it in his index finger.

“No, sir”, replied the terrified labour leader.

The Nawab of Kalabagh repeated the same question twice and the leader held out the same assurance.

The labour leader was then let go. Later, he issued a statement in the evening, saying that after eight hours of talks with the Nawab of Kalabagh, the strike had been called off.

Leaders do such things to avoid embarrassments.

In today’s context, the opposition should keep the position of the speaker in mind. It should also not forget that the speaker may refuse to take back the ruling and the opposition will have no legal remedy against it.

Fortunately, law minister Raja Basharat has also assured that the ruling party would reciprocate the sentiment in case the opposition adopts a positive attitude.

He told the house that the ruling party could join hands with the opposition in requesting the speaker and the chief minister to resolve the matter. But he made it clear that the assembly proceedings could not be adjourned to meet the opposition’s demand.

The attitude of the opposition on Tuesday (today) will determine the final outcome of the drama that is being played out to the gallery from the floor of the house.