LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly session on Friday witnessed a pandemonium due to the protest by the opposition lawmakers against the sentencing of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders in May 9 riots cases.

As the proceedings began with a delay of one hour and 40 minutes, presided over by Panel of Chairperson Ghulam Raza, Deputy Opposition Leader Moeen Qureshi raised a point of order, asserting that 39 members, including Opposition Leader Ahmad Khan Bhachar, have been framed in ‘fabricated’ cases.

“The government should allow some democratic traditions to survive,” he stated. “Ninety-five percent of our leaders have been convicted and imprisoned, but we, the 106 [opposition] MPAs, stand with [Imran] Khan today and will stand with him tomorrow,” Qureshi said.

In response, PML-N Chief Whip Rana Arshad retorted, “The opposition is a group of mischief-makers who are backing sedition. On May 9th, attacks were launched at 156 locations, planned by prisoner number 804 (a reference to Imran Khan). We are saddened by the conviction of the opposition leader, but he must face the courts.”

He added, “Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is a party of seditionists; they are the culprits of May 9th[rioting]. Even when a decision came against our leadership, we did not attack the GHQ. We will ask the opposition leader to seek justice through the judiciary, but they are fugitives.”

The opposition lawmakers raised slogans against the convictions and walked out of the House when the chair did not give them the floor. However, they returned after holding a media talk outside the assembly, and MPA Imtiaz Sheikh again sought the floor on a point of order.

On refusal by the chair, he pointed out a lack of quorum in the House that led to ringing of bells for five minutes by the chair. However, as the measure failed to gather at least 94 members in the House, as required under the Rules of Procedure, the proceedings were adjourned for Monday afternoon.

‘Forced conversions’ issue

Earlier, minority MPAs Falbous Christopher and Tariq Masih raised the issue of a 14-year-old Christian boy who was allegedly being forcibly converted to Islam in Sargodha.

Christopher unequivocally stated, “Forced religious conversions must be stopped.” He clarified, “If someone converts to Islam willingly, there is no objection.” He then read out an ASI’s report, detailing the statement of a distraught widow pleading for her child’s return, stating he is her only breadwinner.

“Was the conversion forced? Does the law allow a single child to convert to Islam when the mother remains Christian?” Christopher questioned. He added, “It would have been understandable if the whole family [of the boy] had converted to Islam.”

The minority MPA demanded that this sensitive matter be considered with all seriousness and an investigation be launched into the report’s veracity.

Tariq Masih echoed Christopher’s concerns, demanding formation of a judicial commission to investigate the issue of Christians being [forcibly] converted to Islam in Punjab. “A fourteen-year-old boy is not an adult; he doesn’t even know enough about religion,” Masih asserted, demanding justice for the mother and her family.

Parliamentary Secretary Sardar Asim Sher Mekan responded by stating that the child’s conversion to Islam is recorded in the Magistrate’s court.

Traffic wardens ‘unlawful’ actions

Treasury MPA Amjad Ali Javed presented instances of traffic wardens registering cases against citizens without any legal authority.

He highlighted a case where a traffic warden issued a challan and detained a citizen based on a non-existent law.

“A traffic warden has made a law without the stamp of the assembly,” Javed stated, “There is no notification or law for 97A from the Punjab Assembly, yet a traffic warden issued a challan and locked up a citizen (under this yet to be enacted provision).”

He emphasised if such illegal actions continued, the purpose of the House would be lost. Javed appealed for the matter to be referred to a parliamentary committee to question the concerned officials about their authority to take illegal action and seek the department’s response. He warned that any illegal act committed without a proper law is punishable under Article 6 and demanded that the ASI and warden concerned be penalised.

The Panel of Chairperson Ghulam Raza referred the matter to the committee.

Treasury MPA Sohail Khan demanded the abolition of irrigation water charges (abiana) and agricultural taxes in the flood-affected areas.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2025