LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Parvez Elahi has obtained vote of confidence from Assembly during special session of Assembly in the wee hours of Thursday.

Days after political turmoil in Punjab heightened last month when ruling coalition in centre decided to remove CM Elahi in bid to stop dissolution of Assembly, polling for Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi's vote of confidence was held.  Punjab Assembly Speaker Sibtain Khan chaired session in which PTI leader and member Punjab Assembly Mian Aslam Iqbal tabled resolution expressing confidence in Chief Minister.

As per details, 186 members of ruling coalition reposed confidence in leadership of Chief Minister while opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement boycotted session.

Secretary Punjab Assembly briefed members on voting process. In meantime, opposition staged protest in Punjab Assembly. Members of joint opposition tore copies of agenda. Speaker Punjab Assembly Sibtain Khan ordered closure of Assembly doors.  Earlier, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said federal government had turned blind in revenge politics and was violating Constitution and law. He said this at his meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi and member National Assembly Hussain Elahi who called on him at Zaman Park. Consultation was held on ongoing political situation and vote of confidence.

PA session, which began around 5pm, witnessed chaos for third day running as opposition reiterated its demand for Elahi to seek confidence vote. Session began hours after Lahore High Court extended “Interim relief” of reinstating Elahi as Chief Minister till January 12, adding that CM couldn’t dissolve assembly until 9am tomorrow. Meanwhile, Elahi arrived at PA shortly after 10pm. Earlier in the day, the provincial assembly saw another day of the proceedings marred by ruckus. As the proceedings began, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) demanded that the chief minister take the vote of confidence.

While Speaker Sibtain Khan said that the court would decide on the matter, the main opposition party persisted with its demand, calling for the voting to be held before the Question Hour. The PTI lawmakers pointed out that this had been going on for three days. Subsequently, the opposition surrounded the speaker’s dais and tore the copies of the agenda. Now, Punjab Assembly session prorogued till January 23.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 12 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.