The Punjab Assembly restored the membership of 26 suspended opposition members. Acting Speaker Zaheer Iqbal issued a notification to allow their return. During Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s speech, the suspended members had caused disruption, leading to their suspension.
After the notification, opposition members re-entered the assembly, welcomed with applause from government members. Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman greeted them warmly and expressed happiness at their return.
Before the restoration, Mujtaba Shujaur urged that all elected representatives should be allowed to perform their duties. Acting Speaker Zaheer Iqbal said the reinstatement would send a positive message. The restoration draft was prepared on July 18 and sent to Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan abroad for approval. Upon his approval, the draft returned to the acting speaker for notification.
The decision came after successful negotiations between the government and opposition regarding the suspended members. The talks focused on maintaining decorum and respecting the Assembly’s ethics committee rulings. Mujtaba Shujaur had earlier emphasized that protests are the opposition’s right but must follow constitutional rules.
The suspension followed disruptive protests and damage caused by opposition members during Maryam Nawaz’s assembly speech. Besides suspension, hefty fines were also imposed. The restoration signals a fresh start towards constructive parliamentary proceedings.