LAHORE: Speaker Chaudhry Parvez Elahi says the governor has taken an illegal step by issuing an ordinance to place Punjab Assembly under the law secretary.

Speaking to former Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, who called on him at his residence, Mr Elahi said “an attempt has been made by the governor to deprive the Punjab Assembly of its powers”.

He said an unconstitutional session outside the assembly had been convened without the Punjab Assembly secretary and other staff.

He said the deputy speaker had no authority to convene a session in the presence of the speaker.

According to the rules of procedure of the assembly, he said, only the speaker can prorogue the session convened by him. He said no one else had the power to prorogue the session called by the speaker.

Both the speaker and former governor discussed current political situation in the country.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2022