LAHORE: Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan on Monday admitted the consistent absence of ministers during the assembly proceedings.

“Apart from one minister, other cabinet members are not present in the assembly,” the speaker stated on Monday, adding that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz must be informed about the recurring issue of her cabinet members’ absence.

Earlier, ruling party MPA Saeed Akbar Niwani pointed out that not a single member from the entire cabinet was present in the House.

Speaker Khan remarked these ministers were not even engaged in other pressing matters, used as an excuse for their absence.

DCs asked to ‘ensure’ treasury MPAs presence for passage of bill today

He issued a ruling, emphasising the need to ensure the presence of ministers in the assembly.

Addressing the speaker, Mr Niwani told the speaker that he was sharing the government’s burden.

In a united voice, both the treasury and opposition members jointly demanded that the speaker refrain from taking on the government’s responsibilities.

On the other hand, embarrassed at its failure to maintain quorum in the Punjab Assembly to pass a ‘favourite’ bill, the PML-N government has instructed the deputy commissioners (DCs) across the province to ensure the presence of treasury MPAs in the assembly session on Tuesday (today).

As the Punjab Assembly was on its way to pass the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital Bill, an opposition member pointed out the quorum and the panel of chairman Malik Arshad was compelled to adjourn the session for Tuesday (today).

It is learnt that there were 26 members in the House, including eight members from the opposition benches. Seven opposition members left the House and an opposition member then pointed out the quorum leaving no space for the panel of chairman to maintain the quorum.

Soon after treasury’s failure to maintain the quorum, the DCs were instructed to call and message the treasury MPAs to ensure their presence in Lahore for the passage of Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital Bill.

A DC’s message sent to the treasury MPAs is titled as: “Presence of MPAs from Treasury Benches in Lahore for passage of the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital Bill.”

The text says, “I am directed to convey that the Treasury Benches MPAs must be present in Lahore tomorrow (Tuesday), i.e., April 22, 2025, as the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital Bill is scheduled to be processed in the Provincial Assembly”.

The message concludes as saying “You are requested to ensure your timely presence” and “Kindly acknowledge the message”.

During the assembly session, treasury MPA Zulfiqar Shah expressed condolences on the passing of Pope Francis.

He stated, “We express our sorrows to the Catholic Christian community of Pakistan.”

He described Pope Francis as a great personality who played a role for interfaith harmony. MPA Ijaz Alam Augustine requested a special prayer in the House.

Speaker Khan led the House in observing one minute silence in remembrance of Pope Francis.

The House passed six bills amid low presence of lawmakers. These included The Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Bill 2025, The Punjab Financial Advisory Services Bill 2025, The Punjab Finance (Amendment) Bill 2025, The Punjab Spatial Planning Authority Bill 2025, and The Punjab Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency Bill 2025.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2025