Wednesday, April 9, 2008, Rabi-ul-Sani 2,1429    

PA’s inaugural session today

Lahore—The inaugural session of the 14th Provincial Assembly of the Punjab will be held here today (Wednesday) with speaker Chaudhery Afzal Sahi to administer oath to 353 members in house of 371.

Out of total 371 seats,297 are general and 74 reserved seats including 66 for women and 8 for minorities.

Election in five constituencies were not held due to death of candidates while result of another seat was withheld on stay order issued by Lahore high court. Twelve other seats have been vacated by candidates winning from more than one constituency.

According to Assembly sources nomination papers for offices of speaker and deputy speaker would be received on April 10 and election would be help on April 11.

It may be mentioned PML-N, the majority party in the house and part of the ruling coalition has nominated Rana Iqbal Khan for position of speaker while PML-Q has nominated Mohsin Leghari for the slot.

Assembly sources said that foolproof security arrangements have been made for the inaugural session of the assembly and no visitors would be allowed to witness proceedings. Entry into the house would be only on special cards issued for the purpose, told the sources.

Capital City Police Officer, Additional IG Muhammad Iqbal Malik said that special mobile squads of commandoes and elite force along with city police have been deployed at all important points of the Punjab Assembly especially at exit and entrance for the security of the MPA-elect and other distinguished guests.

He said that according to Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhary Muhammad Afzal Sahi no visitor pass has been issued to facilitate the smooth conduct of inaugural proceedings of the house. He said that no unauthorised person will be allowed to enter the jurisdiction of the Punjab Assembly.—APP