LAHORE: Proceedings of the Punjab Assembly turned chaotic as Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channar ordered a ruling party lawmaker out of the House following a heated exchange, declaring, “This is not a fish market; this is the Punjab Assembly.”

The session witnessed tense moments when government MPA Ahsan Raza Khan sought permission to speak on a point of order.

The deputy speaker declined to allow him to proceed, leading to a sharp exchange of words between the two.

As tempers flared, Channar reprimanded the lawmaker, accusing him of disrupting decorum and turning the assembly into a “fish market.” He maintained that no permission would be granted for a point of order under the circumstances. In response, Ahsan Raza alleged that a parliamentary secretary was engaging in “misleading statements” in the House, further intensifying the confrontation.

The situation escalated to the point where the deputy speaker directed that Ahsan Raza be removed from the chamber, underscoring the strained atmosphere that marked the sitting.

Earlier, other lawmakers also raised contentious issues. Treasury MPA Raja Shaukat Bhatti accused officials of the Punjab Food Authority of bribery, calling for a halt to the sealing of milk shops and imposition of fines. He argued that vendors purchasing milk at high prices could not be expected to sell it cheaply, warning that such enforcement actions might result in the spread of adulterated or unwholesome milk in the market.

Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party lawmaker Nargis Faiz Malik criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf for remarks against PPP leadership, leading to further political sparring on the floor of the House.

In another development, minority lawmaker Falbous Christopher demanded that Christian educational institutions in Lahore and across Punjab be returned to the minority community, highlighting concerns related to minority rights and control over educational assets.

Despite the disruptions, the assembly proceeded with legislative business and passed the Cothm Global Institute Lahore Bill 2026. The House also approved multiple resolutions, including one to grant sub-campus status to Government Graduate College Shahkot in Nankana Sahib, and another calling for installation of cameras in transport vehicles of public and private schools to enhance child safety across Punjab.

After completion of the agenda, the proceedings were adjourned until Wednesday afternoon (today).

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2026