Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervez Elahi has banned the entry of media into the assembly building while stripping Deputy Speaker Dost Mazari of his powers.
A heavy contingent of police has been called in as on the direction of Speaker Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, entry of media in the assembly was banned.
The PA speaker also stripped Mazari of his powers through a notification, which stated that the said action was being taken under “rule 15 read with rule 235 of the Rules of Procedure of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab 1997”.
Assembly security have stopped media personnel at the main gate of the assembly. Following the order, journalists started a protest outside Assembly Gate No. 1.
As per details available, lawmakers are likely to gain entry via the Darbar Gate.
Deputy Speaker Dost Mazari said that Punjab Assembly session could not be held till gazette notification was issued. The Assembly Secretariat was taking unconstitutional and illegal steps in issuing notifications, he added. He said the forces that were doing this were visible to everyone and that he would act according to the law.
Mazari said that Pervez Elahi was a candidate for the chief minister seat and that he [Mazari] had the powers of the speaker, but was helpless to do anything as the staff was put under pressure.
Pervez Elahi’s actions come after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf submitted a no-confidence motion against Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Mazari.
The no-confidence motion was submitted after Mazari on Wednesday rejected the belief that the critical assembly session had been postponed till April 16 and reiterated that it would be held at 7:30pm today.
Earlier, according to an order issued by Mazari late Tuesday night, he suspended his earlier directives to hold the session after 10 days.
