LAHORE: Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar has formally requested the Punjab Assembly speaker to allocate space in the open air for the installation of a tent on the premises of the Punjab Assembly “for the holding of the opposition’s day-to-day business”.

In a letter written to the Punjab Assembly speaker, Mr Bhachar stated that the opposition benches had on June 28 organised a peaceful and unarmed protest against the “brutality” meted out by the government to the PTI workers and called for the release of party founder Imran Khan.

However, he alleged that the treasury, “on the instructions of the “so-called Leader of the House”, his Opposition Chamber was locked and staff called back. “You, as custodian of the entire House, remained a helpless by-stander, demonstrating your complete failure and inability to restrain this high-handedness, which has been unprecedented, not just in the history of the Punjab Assembly, but that of all national and provincial houses across Pakistan,” he said.

After the protest, Mr Bhachar said the speaker suspended 11 opposition MPAs without any notice, investigation or due process, thereby shredding to pieces all applicable constitutional guarantees and parliamentary traditions.

The opposition leader said the speaker’s ‘undemocratic’ and ‘non-serious’ behaviour had not only paralysed the working of the opposition but also impaired the performance of 107 members elected by millions of people of Punjab.

Mr Bhachar stated that the speaker might be facing pressure but it would be “courageous on his (speaker) part to display impartiality” and allocate a 40-foot by 40-foot space in the open air on the premises of the Punjab Assembly for installation of a tent with an electricity connection to hold an ’Awami’ assembly.

The opposition leader has also sought permission to bring the related furniture and fixtures inside the Punjab Assembly premises; the issuance of entry passes for 10 members of the opposition’s private staff for the tent space/office; and allowing the 11 suspended MPAs access to the tent space/office to conduct “our day-to-day business”.

Meanwhile, Mr Bhachar lambasted the PML-N government for pushing the masses against the wall by issuing inflated power bills. He said people were being forced to opt for suicide after seeing the electricity bills.

Speaking at a news conference at Lahore Press Club on Wednesday, Mr Bhachar said the government had now launched a “solar panels drama.” He said the PTI would launch a mass protest against power bills because even the most vulnerable segment of society was getting inflated power bills of up to Rs9,000 for three fans and four lights.

He challenged the chief minister and prime minister to help plan a budget of a household that was even earning minimum wages in the province. He lamented the government was busy stifling all sectors of society.

Meanwhile, the PTI has planned an Awami Assembly outside the Punjab Assembly gate, which will be attended by the PTI’s parliamentary party – all those who won the provincial assembly seat on the basis of Form-45 and those nominated on reserved seats.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2024