Punjab Assembly Moves Toward De-Seating 26 Suspended Opposition Members

Lahore – The Punjab Assembly has begun legal proceedings that could result in the de-seating of 26 suspended opposition lawmakers, mostly from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), over their disruptive conduct during recent assembly sessions.

According to sources, the Speaker’s Office and the Provincial Law Ministry have held a series of consultations to finalise the legal framework for the action. The decision comes after repeated violations of parliamentary decorum by the suspended members.

Officials familiar with the matter said that the Speaker is reviewing a precedent set by former Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, specifically in the case related to Hamza Shehbaz, where party directives were defied, resulting in member disqualification. The case is being considered a legal benchmark for the current situation.

Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has confirmed that his office is closely examining Bandial’s ruling to determine the legal course of action. “Such decisions have clear constitutional and historical standing,” he said.

Sources also revealed that a formal reference is likely to be submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) shortly after Ashura, which could lead to the termination of assembly memberships of the involved lawmakers.