LAHORE : The Lahore High Court (LHC) has set a side a decision of the speaker of the Punjab assembly of withdrawing the powers of the deputy speaker citing it unlawful and restored the powers of the deputy speaker. The court said the decision of withdrawing the powers of the deputy speaker was in violation of the rules 53 of the business. The court decision given here on Wednesday said “The decision of suspending thr deputy speaker’s powers is violation of the rules and hence a decision of the speaker national assembly is cancelled” .
Speaker Punjab assembly, Chaudhary Pervez Elahi who is also candidate for the chief minister,’s slot , had withdrawn powers of deputy speaker , Dost Mohammad Khosa, for summoning the session if the Punjab assembly without taking his advice. Dost Mohammad Khosa had summoned session of the provincial assembly on April 16, 2022 for the election of the office of the chief minister. He later following the assurance of the attorney general Punjab given to the Supreme Court of Pakistan reschedule date of summoning the session of the provincial assembly for April 5, 2022.
The speaker Punjab assembly not only withdrew the powers of the deputy speaker, but also ordered to lock the assembly building to stop the opposition members’ entry for holding session for the office of the chief minister Punjab. The opposition, which claims majority in the Punjab assembly, had moved the LHC against the decision of the speaker Punjab assembly.
The court in it’s decision ordered secretary assembly to complete renovation work of the Punjab assembly buildingby April 15 and put all necessary arrangements in place for holding session of the provincial assembly on April 16 , 2022 to elect the chief executive of the province .
Since the opposition candidate is claiming considerable majority in the house, Chaudhary Pervez Elahi was using delaying tactics and his decision to withdraw powers of the deputy speaker was a part of his same strategy.
