Newly elected Punjab Assembly members take oath. The Punjab Assembly saw a significant milestone as outgoing Speaker Sibtain Khan oversaw the swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected members on Friday.
Despite a delay of over two hours, the session commenced under Sibtain’s stewardship, setting the stage for the democratic process to unfold.
Addressing the assembly, the secretary announced plans for the election of the speaker and deputy speaker, scheduled for the following day through a process of secret balloting.
Nomination papers for these crucial positions were slated for collection and scrutiny on the same day, adding to the anticipation surrounding the political landscape.
This inaugural session marked the assembly’s first convening since the February 8 general elections, with fresh faces taking their oaths and stepping into their roles as representatives of the people.
Also read: Punjab Assembly Election Results 2024
However, the atmosphere within the assembly chamber was not without tension, as members from various political factions, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), engaged in heated exchanges and slogans, underscoring the spirited nature of democratic discourse.
Amidst the commotion, the SIC voiced grievances, claiming that their members were being unfairly denied entry into the assembly premises, while the PML-N asserted its presence with a sizable contingent of approximately 215 members.
In a dramatic arrival, PTI-backed candidate Imtiaz Sheikh made a discreet entrance, concealed within a vehicle with tinted windows, underscoring the charged atmosphere surrounding the proceedings.
Despite efforts by SIC members to engage the assembly speaker, they were informed that their concerns would only be addressed following the completion of the oath-taking ceremony—a point of contention amidst the unfolding drama.
Speaker Sibtain Khan highlighted the absence of a definitive list of reserved seats issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), adding to the uncertainty surrounding the session.
“The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has not yet [issued a list] of reserved seats,” said Speaker Sibtain.
PML-N leader Azma Bokhari emphasized the importance of members taking their oaths before participating in debates, acknowledging ongoing deliberations regarding the allocation of reserved seats, while expressing a willingness to cooperate in the interest of governance.
“The decision on some reserved seats is still not taken due to their ineligibility. We currently have a two-thirds majority after forming an alliance,” she said.
“Sindh Assembly session is convened tomorrow and National Assembly session will also be called in a couple of days,” she further said.
As the session progressed, anticipation mounted for the upcoming sessions of the Sindh Assembly and National Assembly, signaling a flurry of legislative activities on the horizon.
Amidst the political maneuvering, PTI levied allegations of obstructionism, claiming that law enforcement authorities were impeding their elected members from participating in the assembly session, further complicating an already charged environment.
Outside the assembly premises, PTI representatives vowed to press forward, with CM candidate Aslam Iqbal prepared to fulfill his duties despite looming legal challenges, underscoring the resilience of the political process amidst adversity.
The formal convening of the assembly meeting by Punjab Governor Muhammad Balighur Rehman served as a reminder of the institutional framework underpinning democratic governance, while signaling the commencement of a new chapter in Punjab’s political landscape.
With the announcement of PML-N’s intention to form a government in the province, led by Maryam Nawaz, following the consolidation of independent MPA-elects into the party, the stage is set for a dynamic period of governance and opposition in Punjab.
As newly elected Punjab Assembly members take oath, all eyes turn towards the future, with the Punjab Assembly poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of the province in the days and weeks to come.
