Opposition submits no-confidence motion against Speaker Punjab Assembly

PML-N says move will be the last nail in the coffin of Parvez Elahi’s 40-years long political career

The opposition on Thursday submitted the no-confidence motion against Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Parvez Elahi while citing the reason that he has lost the confidence of the House. 

The no-confidence motion was submitted by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Members Provincial Assembly Khawaja Salman Rafique, Khalil Tahir Sandhu, Samiullah Khan, Pir Ashraf Rasool, Mian Abdul Rauf and Mirza Javaid.  

“The affairs of the Punjab are not being run according to the constitution. Speaker Punjab Assembly has destroyed the democratic traditions in the province and he has lost the confidence of majority of the House,” said the motion submitted by joint opposition.  

The MPAs once again faced resistance to enter the Punjab Assembly when they reached the building. They were allowed after the security staff received clearance from the office of Secretary Punjab Assembly. It is pertinent to mention here that the MPAs of opposition were denied entry on Wednesday when they reached Punjab Assembly to submit the no-confidence motion against Speaker.  

Media was also banned to enter and there was a curfew like situation in the 500-meter radius of Punjab Assembly. On Thursday too, journalists were not allowed to enter and the Rangers were deputed at 500-meter radius of Punjab Assembly to ensure law and order.  

It was seen earlier that Parvez Elahi was using the office of Speaker for his Chief Minister election after being nominated by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf and therefore the opposition submitted the motion against him. “The staff of Punjab Assembly is no more bound to obey the instructions of Parvez Elahi as the no-confidence motion against him has been submitted,” said PML-N chief whip in Punjab Assembly MPA Khalil Tahir Sandhu.  

Elahi will not become Chief Minister and he will no more be the Speaker of this House, he added. It is worth mentioning here that Secretary Punjab Assembly Muhammad Khan Bhatti, who is considered as a closed confidant of Parvez Elahi, wasn’t there to receive the no-confidence motion against him as the document was received by Special Secretary Amir Habib.  

“The no-confidence motion against Parvez Elahi will be the last nail in the coffin of his 40-years long political career,” said PML-N MPA Samiullah Khan, while talking to Minute Mirror. He further added that PML-Q has been divided into two factions and the division is also visible in the family of Chaudhrys. He was of the view that Parvez Elahi was supporting the unconstitutional acts of Imran Khan and therefore he is facing this day. According to him, there is no ambiguity in chairing the session of Punjab Assembly after the no-confidence motions against both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. The 4-member Panel of Chairman is intact and one of the members will chair the session.  

The section-144 will remain imposed at the 500 meters radius of Punjab Assembly and Rangers will be deputed to ensure law and order. The decision was made due to fear looming that political workers may indulge in clashes ahead of the election of Chief Minister Punjab which is scheduled to be held on 16th April.