Allotment of seats of treasury benches: PPP, PML-Q protest against 'Unification Bloc'

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) joined hands in Punjab Assembly and lodged strong protest against the allotment of seats of treasury benches of the so-called 'unification bloc' of PML-Q.
Before the start of assembly session, a vociferous protest was staged by the legislators of opposition parties, PML-Q and PPP. Opposition Leader Raja Riaz and PML-Q Parliamentary Leader Chaudhry Zaheer-u-Din boycotted the proceedings of Business Advisory Committee of the House in protest against the presence of Dr Tahir Ali Javed of 'unification group; in the meeting.
Leader of the Opposition even in the House criticised Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal of indulging in an undemocratic practice by allowing unification bloc's Dr Tahir Ali Javed to attend the committee's meeting. He accused the chair of stopping coverage of the proceedings by PTV. The allegation was denied by the Speaker, who on many a time asked the PTV camera crew to be called in the Assembly for coverage.
Amid sloganeering by treasury and opposition members, the House approved a resolution unanimously condemning the murder of Minority Affairs' minister Shahbaz Bhatti. Minority legislators from both the camps voiced their concerns on the murder of Bhatti, demanding immediate arrest of criminals involved in the murder. A two-minute silence was observed by the legislators over the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti on the occasion.
Earlier, Chaudhry Zaheer-u-Din while congratulating Raja Riaz for his new role as Opposition Leader implored upon him to remain vocal and steadfast for the cause of democracy. He demanded of the Chief Minister to seek new vote of confidence of the house in the given political scenario, as their major partner had switched over to opposition benches. He said the government was in minority.
Opposition Leader Raja Riaz speaking in the House stated that both PPP and PML-N had struggled for democracy and against authoritarian rule and had entered into a Charter of Democracy. He pointed that President Asif Ali Zardari had persuaded PML-N leader Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to participate in parliamentary elections.
He said believing in democracy President Zardari had not created any hindrance in formation of PML-N government in Punjab. He averred that despite frequently being asked by fellows to join the opposition benches, they persisted on with the PML-N as per the instructions of their leadership. He said during this agonising period they accepted inapt attitude of the partners with very heavy heart.
He said doctors, students, clerks and other section of the society were agitating against the provincial government for its wrong policies. He, however, lauded the role of Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal and those members of PML-N who had struggled against authoritarian role. He said in fact they were against chickens off PML-Q and unless they go back to their original roost, they would keep on criticising the government. He offered the government to give it vote of confidence if it needed, but asked it to get rid of the 'lota group'.
Earlier, Law Minister Rana Sanaullah while addressing a press conference stated that they would accept any group in the assembly, which had majority as per the constitution. About Raymond Davis case, he said that Punjab government had registered FIR against him in accordance with legal requirements and had written five times to federal government on his issue. Later, the House was adjourned for Monday.