LAHORE, Aug 7: Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Iqbal has ruled that Members of the Punjab Assembly (MPAs) cannot use the Punjab government monogram either on the registration number plates or elsewhere on their vehicles.

“I have seen many cars having plates inscribed with word `MPA’ along with the monogram of the Punjab government. Some have either removed the registration number plates and have fixed plates bearing words ‘MPA’,” Mr Iqbal said while chairing the eighth session of the Punjab Assembly on Thursday. The session started 95 minutes late than its scheduled time of 10am.

“Displaying of MPA number plates and not observing rules, especially while attending the session, would not make masses respect you.”

He urged all the members to maintain decorum and not indulge in crosstalk in the proceedings and ensure smooth running of house affairs by participating in the constructive discussion and raising positive points.

“Masses have elected us to resolve their problems by carrying out legislation for their betterment instead of indulging in criticism against each other. Both the opposition and the treasury should not resort to criticism for the sake of criticism and obey rules and regulations,” he said.

Opposition’s Ahmad Yar Hiraj also seconded the assertion of the chair and said elected members could only win the hearts of their electorates only by utilising all their energies towards their betterment.

Opposition Leader Chaudhry Zaheerudin assured the house that the opposition would play positive role and make constructive contributions in the proceedings.

Senior Minister Raja Riaz requested the chair to take measures for training and capacity building of all members so that the proceedings could be run according to rules and regulations.

Soon after recitations of the Holy Quran and Naat, treasury members Asif Manzoor Mohal and Shaukat Mahmood Basra drew the attention of the chair to one-and-a-half hour delay in the start of proceedings. They said the proceedings should be started according to the scheduled time as several members had to wait for hours or so.

On a point of order, Punjab Minister for Jails Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor criticised Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi for favouring President Pervez Musharraf and opposing efforts for his impeachment.

Treasury’s Azma Zahid Bokhari drew the attention of the house to the baton charge of the sacked employees of the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) who wanted to hold a peaceful demonstration outside the assembly building. The chair made a committee to look into the matter by meeting the protesters. The house was informed that the protesters had dispersed by the time the committee members reached there.

Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah informed the house NCHD sacked employees wanted to register their protest against non-provision of funds by the federal government for their salaries. bill passed: The Punjab Assembly on Thursday passed Nazaria-i-Pakistan Foundation (repeal) bill 2008.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan presented the bill in the house with Deputy Speaker Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan in the chair.