Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan said he would carry out his duties impartially and would not discriminate between members belonging to ruling coalition and opposition. Speaking at a reception held in his honour on Wednesday, he said "the Punjab Assembly has its history and traditions and we would ensure its dignity."
Mashhood said, "sacrifices of the lawyers for rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution would not go to waste and the new government would strengthen institutions instead of individuals". He also said "the opposition should end their boycott and play its positive role in the assembly" adding "both the government and opposition would have to work together for ensuring peace and politically stability in the country". Highlighting importance of accountability he said, "societies where there is no system of bringing those indulging in wrong doings to justice do not survive for long".
He condemned the publication of blasphemous caricatures of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in a Danish newspaper and said "it has hurt feelings of Muslims around the world". Like National Assembly, the Punjab Assembly would also pass a resolution to condemn it. No individual or country could be allowed to hurt religious sentiments of people under the garb of freedom of expression.
"The western countries, including Denmark and Sweden, would have to take effective steps to check recurrence of such acts that hurt feelings of the Muslims. Islam preaches peace, love and amity and Muslims desire for peace should not be taken as their weakness," he added.