In a historic first, the Punjab Assembly has constituted a Parliamentary Judicial Committee under Section 11-C of the Punjab Assembly Privileges Act, 1972, to hear and investigate matters relating to parliamentary privilege.
The committee has been constituted on the directives of Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan.
MPA Sardar Muhammad Awais Dreshak has been appointed as Chairman of the committee. The members include Parliamentary Leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party Syed Ali Haider Gilani, Shaukat Raja, Noor-ul-Amin Wattoo, Chaudhry Iftikhar Hussain Chhachhar, Amjad Ali Javed, Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Raheela Khadim Hussain and Ahmar Rashid Bhatti.
The Parliamentary Judicial Committee will be empowered to hear and investigate privilege matters referred by the Speaker. It will have the authority to issue notices, summon evidence and documents, record statements of witnesses and hear the viewpoints of the concerned parties before completing its inquiry.
After concluding its proceedings, the committee will submit its report and recommendations to the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly. It may also co-opt another member of the provincial assembly whenever required. Speaker’s Adviser Usama Khawar Ghumman will assist the committee during its proceedings.
Under the Punjab Assembly Privileges Act, the committee is authorised to adjudicate cases relating to breaches of parliamentary privilege. Upon establishing a violation, it may recommend or impose penalties or fines in accordance with the law. However, criminal and civil disputes do not fall within its jurisdiction, as its mandate is limited exclusively to matters concerning parliamentary privileges and the discipline of the House.
The case involving the District Police Officer (DPO) Kasur is expected to become the first matter to be heard by the newly constituted Parliamentary Judicial Committee.