A stormy session unfolded in the Punjab Assembly yesterday as tempers flared over a broken microphone, heated exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches, and renewed demands for justice and development in South Punjab. The session, meant to discuss important legislative and budgetary matters, quickly spiraled into a political battlefield.
Speaker’s Fury Over Microphone Incident
The drama began shortly after the session commenced. The opposition raised a ruckus over an alleged incident involving the breaking of a microphone in the assembly. Accusing the treasury benches of disrespect and damage, opposition members demanded accountability.
The Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, visibly irate at the allegation, did not mince words. He immediately ordered an official inquiry into the matter and warned the opposition, stating that if the microphone was damaged as a result of their protests and chaos, they would be held responsible.
“This assembly is a sacred institution. If equipment is broken during disruptions caused by the opposition, the blame lies squarely on their shoulders,” said the Speaker.
Opposition Fires Back
Not one to back down, Opposition Leader Malik Ahmed Bachhar asserted that peaceful protest is the constitutional right of every member and accused the Speaker of trying to silence the opposition by using technicalities and tactics.
We will not be silenced. This is a democracy. You cannot strip us of our right to protest, said Bachhar. He also reignited the controversy surrounding Ijaz Shafi, repeatedly demanding that the CCTV footage related to the incident be presented, a request the Speaker reportedly declined once again.
South Punjab Ignored? PPP Raises Voice
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) joined the fray, turning the spotlight on the Punjab budget and accusing the government of deliberately neglecting South Punjab in its allocations.
PPP lawmakers asserted that repeated calls for fair development in South Punjab have fallen on deaf ears. If this budget continues to ignore South Punjab’s needs, the calls for a separate province will only grow louder,a PPP member warned from the floor.
The opposition’s collective anger was not just about the microphone—it reflected a broader sentiment of marginalization, lack of transparency, and regional injustice.
Ali Haider Gilani Demands Committee Formation
Adding to the growing list of demands, senior politician Ali Haider Gilani stepped in and proposed the formation of a special investigative committee to examine the recent controversies, including the microphone incident, the Ijaz Shafi CCTV footage issue, and the grievances over South Punjab’s budgetary exclusion.
“We need transparency and accountability. Let us not politicize integrity. A fact-finding committee must be formed immediately,” Gilani urged.
Assembly Descends into Verbal Clashes
The session, which was intended to focus on economic policies and social programs, was instead marred by verbal altercations, sloganeering, and accusations of bias. The Speaker tried to maintain order, but the opposition’s repeated interruptions forced multiple pauses during the session.
The government benches, on the other hand, maintained that the opposition was attempting to derail progress and distract from substantive policy matters. They’re creating noise to cover up their lack of constructive input,a treasury member stated during the heated exchange.
With growing tension, the Punjab Assembly now faces internal instability just as it gears up to discuss crucial budget allocations and developmental projects. The Speaker’s decision on the microphone investigation, the handling of the CCTV footage, and whether a committee will be formed could determine how smooth or stormy the upcoming sessions will be.
The demand for justice, transparency, and equitable treatment of South Punjab will likely remain a focal point of debate. The opposition seems determined not to let these issues die quietly, setting the stage for more confrontational sessions in the days ahead.
As the dust settles from yet another controversial session, one thing is clear: the Punjab Assembly is in for a politically charged and combative season.
