The second round of negotiations between the Punjab government and the opposition on the restoration of 26 suspended members of the Provincial Assembly concluded on Sunday without any resolution, although both parties agreed to continue the dialogue in the next few days.
According to sources familiar with discussions, the government and the opposition failed to reach a consensus regarding the suspension of Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) legislators, whose membership remains inactive after a heated session last month.
The legislators were suspended by the president of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, after opposition banks interrupted the speech of Prime Minister Maryam Nawaz on June 27. The session descended to chaos as treasure and opposition members participated in a physical altercation, despite repeated appeals by the speaker speaker.
Read more: Punjab speakers forms committee to address the references of suspended PTI members
The impasse in progress follows a previous advisory meeting between the speaker and the suspended MPA, during which the disqualification references presented against the members were also discussed.
To resolve the confrontation, President Khan formed a negotiation committee of eight members, comprised of Whip Rana Arshad, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mujtaba Shuja-Ur-Rehman, Khawaja Salman Rafique, Samiullah Khan and Ahmad Iqbal. An additional representation of the allied parts was included: Ali Haider Gillani (PPP), Chaudhry Shafay Hussain (PML-Q) and Shoaib Siddiqui (IPP).
Although there is no significant progress in the second round of conversations, both parties indicated the preparation to participate even more.
The opposition leader, Malik Ahmad Khan Bachhar, said the discussions were ongoing and more meetings were scheduled. “This was our second meeting, and there was an agreement on the conversations. Consultations are being made regarding the procedure rules of the Assembly,” he told reporters.
Bachhar emphasized the need for a party level consultation, noting that such complex problems could not be solved in a single session. “We are two different political entities. The speaker has urged adhesion to the rules, and once the consensus is reached, all interested parties will be communicated,” he added.
Read too: MPA suspended divided on protest limitation
Speaking to the media after the meeting, government representatives described the atmosphere as constructive. Punjab finance minister, Mujtaba Shuja-Ur-Rehman, declared that the holiness of the assembly was primary and that the opposition had recognized the importance of preserving its dignity. “One or two more meetings may be required, but we expect a decent resolution,” he said.
He clarified that the government was not trying to undo the suspended legislators, but simply asking for the observance of the assembly’s decorum. “They are chosen representatives. Our goal is not punitive, but to ensure that the Chamber works within its prescribed rules,” added Shuja-Ur-Rehman.
