Opposition in Punjab Assembly Loses Requisition Power After Suspension of 26 PTI Members

LAHORE: The suspension of 26 lawmakers from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has dealt a major blow to the opposition’s strength in the Punjab Assembly, rendering it unable to constitutionally requisition an assembly session.

Under the current assembly rules, the opposition must gather at least 93 signatures to formally request a session. However, with only 79 active members remaining after the suspensions, the opposition now falls short of the required number.

Sources confirm that the opposition previously held a strength of 105 members, but the recent suspensions have severely undermined their ability to function effectively within the provincial legislature.

Legal and parliamentary experts indicate that until the suspended lawmakers are reinstated, the opposition cannot move any official requisition or convene the assembly on its own. This significantly impacts their strategy to exert pressure on the provincial government, particularly during key legislative or political developments.

The suspended PTI members were penalised amid ongoing tensions between the government and opposition blocs in Punjab, further escalating the political divide in the province.