Punjab Assembly Passes Resolution Against India’s Indus Treaty Violations
Punjab Assembly Condemns India, Honors Army Chief
Opposition Slams Wheat Policy in Punjab Assembly
LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly disposed of seven adjournment motions during Tuesday’s session, including those submitted by government members Shaukat Raja, Minister for Communication and Works, and Amjad Ali Javed, Minister for Housing, Urban Development, and Public Health Engineering. Demonstrating unity, the house unanimously passed a resolution presented by government lawmaker Uzma Kardar, condemning India’s violations of the Indus Waters Treaty.
The session also featured warm tributes to Army Chief General Asim Munir, with Chief Whip Rana Arshad, Uzma Kardar, and government member Aamna Sheikh congratulating him on his promotion to Field Marshal. Another resolution, moved by government member Samiullah Khan concerning the reduction of crime rates in Lahore, was passed with majority support.
Despite earlier disruptions, the proceedings concluded smoothly, marking a return to normal legislative business. Panel of Chairpersons Raja Shaukat Bhatti adjourned the session until 2 PM on Wednesday after completing the day’s agenda.
Meanwhile, opposition members in the Punjab Assembly strongly criticized the government’s wheat policy, accusing it of unfair treatment toward farmers. Speaking on the assembly floor, opposition lawmaker Waqas Mahmood Maan claimed that farmers had been "buried alive" yet still lacked access to the Electronic Warehouse Receipt (EWR) facility. He sarcastically questioned whether the facility would be provided "after the Day of Judgment." Maan further alleged that 95% of farmers owning up to 12.5 acres of land had not received government loans.
The session had begun two hours and eighteen minutes late, with opposition slogans echoing in the chamber. Panel of Chairpersons member Samiullah Khan presided over the proceedings, which were overshadowed by escalating confrontations, raising concerns over the assembly’s functionality.
Amid the turbulent session, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat announced significant developments at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, revealing that 16 new departments had been introduced while student enrollment surged from 350 to nearly 1,700. He also confirmed that the Higher Education Department had released Rs. 1.2 billion in funds for the university. Additionally, Hayat announced dedicated bus services for students in Changa Manga, Allahabad, and Kinganpur.
In a separate matter, government lawmaker Amjad Ali Javed expressed frustration over the cancellation of a proposed university in Toba Tek Singh. Sarcastically announcing his withdrawal of all related questions in the assembly, he highlighted his discontent with the Higher Education Department.
Hayat also addressed the ongoing transport fee dispute at Government Queen Mary College, assuring that a resolution would soon be reached. He emphasized that the college was the only public institution in Pakistan offering O-Level education at just 10% of private sector fees, adding that discussions between the administration and parents were underway to resolve the transport fee issue for female students.
Opposition member Sheikh Imtiaz launched a scathing attack in the assembly, declaring his intention to burn an effigy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi outside the legislature. Defiantly referencing past cases filed against him for similar actions, he challenged his detractors, saying, "If anyone has the courage, let them try and stop me. I will definitely burn Modi's effigy." Panel of Chairpersons member Samiullah Khan denied him microphone access, ruling that his statements were politically motivated.
Provincial Law Minister Sohaib Bharth responded by stating that any registered cases related to burning Modi’s effigy would be thoroughly investigated. "The entire Pakistan stands united against India," he asserted, praising the armed forces' response to Indian aggression. His remarks came amid heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
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