Crisis in Punjab deepens further

LAHORE: The ruling PTI on Wednesday moved against its own party member and submitted a no-trust motion against Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari.

The party’s provincial leadership took approval from Prime Minister Imran Khan before submitting the motion.

The development took place after Dost Muhammad Mazari convened a session of the provincial assembly for the election of the chief minister today in line with the assurance given to the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Mazari, however, maintained that he can chair the session as the election is of the chief minister.

Earlier, the secretary of the provincial assembly had refused to comply with the notification issued by the deputy speaker for today’s session, well-placed sources told Geo News.

The secretary was of the view that the session will be held on April 16 as the assembly session cannot be convened on a simple paper.  A gazette notification is required, the official said.

Meanwhile, Zain-Ali-Bhatti, spokesperson of the speaker Punjab Assembly, also confirmed that the provincial assembly session will be held on April 16.

“The previous order will remain active until a new official order is issued,” he added.

Mazari says his directives not being implemented  

In compliance with the Supreme Court's orders, the crucial session of the Punjab Assembly was scheduled to meet today (Wednesday) to elect the new leader of the house, said Dost Muhammad Mazari.

Speaking exclusively to Geo News, Mazari said that earlier he had issued a notification for summoning the session on April 16 but after the top court’s direction, the notification has been cancelled.

Mazari maintained that he has summoned the PA session in light of the SC orders. Responding to a question, he said that he did not consult with the Punjab government, PTI or the speaker in this regard.

Mazari further said that the PA secretariat is not cooperating with him.

PA to meet on Wednesday, law officer assures SC

A day earlier, the advocate general of Punjab had assured the top court that the Punjab Assembly will meet on April 6 as per the Constitution.

The CJP had observed that Punjab’s situation is an extension of what’s happening in Islamabad. Justice Mazhar Alam had noted that the issue will be resolved if the government hold elections for the coveted slot of the chief minister in the province.

Police deployed outside PA secretariat

On the directions of Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, a heavy contingent of police has been deployed outside the assembly secretariat to avoid any untoward situation.

Meanwhile, Chaudhry Parvez Elahi also banned the entry of media persons in the provincial assembly, confirmed the security staff.