The suspense surrounding the Punjab Assembly leadership has finally come to an end. Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has officially been sworn in as the new Speaker of the Assembly. He took the oath of office administered by outgoing Speaker Sabtain Khan.
Earlier, the Punjab Assembly concluded the counting process for the election of the Speaker, marking a pivotal moment in the region's political landscape. Malik Ahmad Khan, representing the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), emerged victorious as the newly elected Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, securing a significant mandate from the assembly members.
In a testament to his widespread support, Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan garnered an impressive tally of 225 votes out of the 327 total votes cast during the election. This resounding mandate underscores the confidence placed in him by the assembly members to lead the legislative body effectively.
However, the decision on 27 reserved seats is still pending, reflecting ongoing deliberations within the assembly. Additionally, the absence of 16 assembly members during the voting process highlights the need for full participation and engagement in the democratic process.
House Proceedings
As the session commenced in the House, a cacophony of slogans erupted from both sides, reflecting the charged atmosphere. Assembly Secretary Aamir Habib took the floor to elucidate the procedure for selecting the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Three designated booths were established on the right side of the House to facilitate voting, catering to members from PP One, PP 126-250 in polling booth number two, and PP 251-371 in PP three.
Earlier in the meeting, six esteemed members took their oaths. Notable among them were Waseem Khan Baduzai from PP 214, Farhat Abbas from PP 157, Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal from PP 203, Fateh Khaliq Bandyal from PP 83, Chaudhry Shafi Hussain from PP 30, and Tishqal Abbas Waraich from PP 70. With their swearing-in, the total number of members in the Punjab Assembly reached 327.
All 327 members actively participated in the voting process during the Speaker election. The assembly is characterized by a notable predominance of Muslim League-N candidates, who earlier saw 321 out of 371 members taking their oaths in the previous session.
New members sworn in
During today's session at the Punjab Assembly, six newly elected members were sworn into office, marking a significant moment in the legislative process.
Among those who took the oath were Waseem Khan Baduzai, representing PP 214, and Farhat Abbas, elected from PP 157. Their commitment to serving their constituencies was evident as they solemnly pledged to uphold their duties as members of the assembly.
Rai Murtaza Iqbal, representing PP 203, and Fateh Khaliq Bandyal, elected from PP 83, also took their oaths, signaling their readiness to contribute to the legislative proceedings and address the needs of their constituents.
Additionally, Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, representing PP 30, and Tishqal Abbas, the successful candidate from PP 70, participated in the oath-taking ceremony, demonstrating their dedication to representing the interests of the people they serve.
Security measures had been heightened in light of the accelerated political process, with instructions issued to keep vigilance at an all-time high. Lahore, the epicentre of the assembly's activities, is witnessing comprehensive security arrangements, ensuring the safety of all members.
Number game
It is important to remember that 321 members had already taken their oaths on the previous day. The current composition of the Assembly favors PML-N, holding a strong majority with 193 members. The Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) follows closely with 98 members.
Other parties represented in the Assembly include the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) with 13 members, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) with 10 members, and smaller parties like the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) with 5 members each. Additionally, Pakistan Muslim League-Zia-ul-Haq holds one seat.
Given the numerical advantage of PML-N and its alliance with PPP, Q-League, and IPP, the party's nominated candidates, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan and Zaheer Iqbal Chanar, are expected to hold a clear advantage in the Speaker and Deputy Speaker elections. With a combined strength of 223 members, PML-N and its allies appear poised to secure these key leadership positions.
