Speaker of Punjab Assembly Criticizes PTI; Calls for Accountability in Parliament

Lahore: The Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan, has stated that if the Prime Minister can be disqualified for false statements, then why should those who turn the house into a spectacle not face similar consequences?
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Khan, without naming the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), criticized the party for promoting street-level violence. He emphasized that political parties should engage in dialogue rather than resorting to aggression. “People have faced executions, and families have mourned the loss of their loved ones. The assemblies should testify to this,” Khan remarked. “If parliamentary parties fail to engage in discussions, then Section 63(2) of the Constitution will come into play.”
Khan further stated that there is a clear distinction between matters before and after entering the assembly. He expressed his preference for parliamentary traditions and constructive speeches, criticizing those who resort to offensive language as their only form of political discourse. “The Supreme Court’s decision that led to Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification was not a favorable one,” he said.
Referring to the Panama case, Khan pointed out that it was clearly mentioned that any violation of oath by lawmakers could lead to disqualification through a reference by the Speaker to the Election Commission. He called for an end to “street-level politics” that has persisted for 35 years, vowing to make a decision within 30 days.
Khan also emphasized that the essence of parliament is dialogue, urging both the government and opposition to respect the sanctity of words. “Politics is about conversation, not violence,” he concluded.