LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a resolution condemning Israel’s recent attack on Iran and calling upon the international community to play its role in immediately halting Israeli aggression against Iran and Palestine.

Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan suspended the rules to allow Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique to table the resolution that sought the international community to intervene immediately to stop Israeli aggression against Iran and Palestine, like it did in ensuring ceasefire between Pakistan and India.

The House further demanded that the federal government utilise diplomatic channels to convene urgent meetings of the OIC and the UN Security Council to condemn and halt Israeli aggression. The resolution also expressed full solidarity with the Iranians and reiterated unwavering political and moral support for Iran and Palestine.

The assembly offered prayers for Maj-Gen Mohammad Baqeri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Maj-Gen Hossein Salami, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, six nuclear scientists, and others who were martyred in Israeli attacks on Iran.

Another resolution moved by treasury member Mansab Ali Dogar was unanimously adopted, calling for a ban on planting eucalyptus trees along national highways. The resolution argued that these trees are not compatible with the local weather and environment and demanded a “plantation emergency” in July 2025.

Treasury MPA Imran Javaid requested that the biogas produced from cow dung be supplied to local communities. The parliamentary secretary assured the assembly that once biogas production capacity increases, it will be provided to local communities.

Speaker Khan reprimanded the parliamentary secretary for energy over the issue of provincial assembly members’ participation in CSR committees and the non-disbursement of funds. He termed the report on committees fake as none of the MPAs sitting in the House was found to be a member of such a body.

Parliamentary Secretary Kanwal Liaqat acknowledged the issue of diseases spreading in Rahim Yar Khan due to contaminated water, as raised by PPP MPA Mumtaz Chang. She stated that the government has a “zero-tolerance policy” towards environmental pollution.

The session, which began under the chair of Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan around two hours late, saw significant uproar from the opposition members, who chanted slogans demanding the release of the incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan. The speaker warned the opposition against “disruptive behavior”.

However, opposition MPAs gathered in front of the Speaker’s dais, chanting slogans for release of Imran Khan.

The opposition then pointed out the lack of quorum in the house. Due to an insufficient number of members, Panel of Chairpersons Raja Shaukat Bhatti adjourned the session until Monday, June 16, 10am.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2025