Punjab Assembly Forms First-Ever Parliamentary Judicial Committee

Lahore: In a historic move, the Punjab Assembly has constituted its first-ever Parliamentary Judicial Committee under Section 11-C of the Punjab Assembly Privileges Act, 1972.

The committee was established on the directions of Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, with Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Sardar Muhammad Owais Dreshak appointed as its chairman.

The committee’s members include Syed Ali Haider Gilani (Parliamentary Leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party), Shaukat Raja, Noor-ul-Amin Wattoo, Chaudhry Iftikhar Hussain Chhachhar, Amjad Ali Javed, Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Raheela Khadim Hussain, and Ahmer Rashid Bhatti.

According to the notification, the Parliamentary Judicial Committee will hear and investigate matters related to the privileges of the Punjab Assembly. It will be authorized to examine privilege references forwarded by the Speaker and will have the power to summon evidence and documents, hear the viewpoints of relevant individuals, and record witness statements.

After completing its inquiries, the committee will submit its findings and recommendations to the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly. It may also include additional assembly members in its proceedings if required. The Speaker’s Adviser, Usama Khawar Ghumman, will assist the committee in its work.

The committee has been empowered to deal with cases involving parliamentary privileges and legislative discipline. It may issue notices, collect evidence, and recommend penalties or fines where a violation of assembly privileges is established. However, criminal and civil cases do not fall within its jurisdiction.

Officials said the District Police Officer (DPO) Kasur will become the first public official whose case will be heard by the newly formed Parliamentary Judicial Committee.