Outgoing Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal administered oath to 341 newly-elected Members of the Punjab Assembly here on Saturday. A number of supporters of new legislators danced to celebrate the event. Security was stringent in and around the assembly: as many as 450 policemen were deployed. Punjab Assembly has a capacity to accommodate 425 guests on important occasions.
The assembly session, which was supposed to commence at 10am, started 42 minutes late. The new Speaker would be elected on Monday and the process of filing nomination papers would be completed on Sunday (today). The PML-N having absolute majority in the house, its Speaker and deputy Speaker appear likely to be elected without any difficulty. Rana Sanaullah, the former law minister, is being tipped to be the new Speaker.
In 371 Punjab Assembly with 341 members being administered oath, 30 legislators were absent from the house. On MNA/MPA issue, 11 seats remain vacant and need to be filled. Besides results of few seats awaited in addition to eight women seats and other minor adjustments, assembly would hopefully reach its final figure within a month.
Secretary of the Assembly Maqsood Malik on the occasion announced Panel of the Chairman which included Rana Mashud, Malik Nadim Kamran, Aisha Javed, and Mian Muhammad Aslam Iqbal. Expected Leader of Opposition Mahmud ur Rashid (PTI) speaking during the day spoke of law & order, health and education as their top priorities. He averred of being positive in their conduct while remaining on the opposition benches. Former Deputy Speaker Rana Mashud whose name is being considered for the slot of law minister of the province pointed that their party would deliver better in the new circumstances.
Ex. Law Minister Punjab Rana Sanaullah on question of dealing with opposition said that opposition would be dully respected and their point of view heard. The session was adjourned for Monday when Speaker and Deputy Speaker Election would be held. Election for the slot of chief minister would occur on June 6, 2013, where PML-N having vast majority has nominated Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif for the third tenure of chief minister Punjab. Prior to passing of 18th amendment, chief minister was allowed only two terms in office.
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