LAHORE, FEB 24: Punjab Assembly session to elect speaker and deputy speaker of the provincial assembly is underway. Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Sabtain Khan, arrived at the House to kickstart the proceedings.
However, the Punjab Assembly session commenced with a slight delay, starting one hour and thirty minutes behind schedule, setting the tone for a day of deliberations and decision-making within the legislative chamber.
In terms of numerical strength, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates hold a substantial advantage, with Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan and Zaheer Iqbal Chanar enjoying clear support within the House.
The PML-N has garnered backing from members of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP). Of the 320 Assembly members who took their oath, 17 were absent during the session.
Security measures have been heightened in light of the accelerated political process, with instructions issued to keep vigilance at an all-time high. Lahore, the epicentre of the assembly’s activities, is witnessing comprehensive security arrangements, ensuring the safety of all members.
The provincial police chief has ordered to keep security on high alert in the premises of the Punjab Assembly. He says complete security is being provided to all members. Security should be monitored under the supervision of the DIG operations, he directed.
The PML-N and Sunni Ittehad Council are vying for the positions of speaker and deputy speaker. Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan of the PML-N and Malik Ahmad Bachhar of the Sunni Ittehad Council are competing for the coveted role of the speaker, while Zaheer Iqbal Channar of the PML-N and Moin Riaz of the Sunni Ittehad Council are in contention for the deputy speaker’s position.
PML-N nominees Khan and Channar hold a notable advantage, given the overwhelming numbers their party enjoys in the assembly. Moreover, they have secured support from members of other political entities such as the Pakistan People’s Party, PML-Q, and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), further bolstering their position.
With the election set to be conducted through a secret ballot, anticipation runs high within the political corridors of Punjab. The outcome of these elections is poised to shape the future trajectory of the provincial government, setting the tone for governance and legislative agendas in the region.
On Friday, 320 members of the Punjab Assembly took oath, and 17 remained absent.
