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Rana Iqbal, Mashhood elected
PA Speaker, Dy
Salim Ahmed
Lahore—Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidates Rana Muhammad Iqbal
and Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan were elected unopposed Speaker and
Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Assembly here on Friday.
Their unopposed election came when the Pakistan Muslim League-Q
forward bloc candidates for these slots, Najaf Abbas Sial and
Chaudhry Mohammad Arshad Jatt, withdrew their nomination papers.
However, the PML-Q members boycotted the proceedings of the House to
protest manhandling of Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim and Dr. Sher Afgan
Niazi.
Former speaker Mohammad Afzal Sahi administered the oath to the new
Speaker Rana Mohammad Iqbal, who afterwards assumed his office.
Later, Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal administered oath to the new
Deputy Speaker Rana Mashhood Ahmed.
Taking floor, several MPAs congratulated the newly elected Speaker
and Deputy Speaker, and expressed hope that they would conduct the
house in an impartial manner.
Rana Muhammad Iqbal told reporters that all out efforts will be made
to make the Punjab Assembly as an effective legislative forum. He
said the new government would take along all political parties,
including the opposition in making the country prosperous and
progressive.
Sardar Dost Mohammad Khosa, the PML-N nominee for the slot of Punjab
Chief Minister, who filed his nomination papers for leader of the
house told reporters that after becoming chief executive of the
province his top priority would be maintenance of law & order and
resolution of problems being faced by people of the province.
He said some elements are trying to derail the democratic process
but all such conspiracies would be foiled. He said we would serve
the masses wholeheartedly and try our best to fulfill their
expectations.
To a question, he said new Punjab cabinet would comprise of 35
ministers, 22 from PML-N and 13 from PPPP and would ensure good
governance.
The PPPP parliamentary leader in the Punjab assembly Raja Riaz told
reporters that the PML-Q is not a political party rather it is a
group of selfish elements and they made their escape instead of
facing the situation.
Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker and Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker
National Assembly on Friday congratulated Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan
and Rana Mashood Khan on their unopposed election as Speaker and
Deputy Speaker of Punjab Assembly.
In their separate messages, they said that their unopposed election
was an evidence of trust and confidence of leadership by their
fellow colleagues in them.
They expressed hope that under their sagacious leadership, Punjab
Assembly will play vital role to further uphold the democratic norms
and strengthen the institutions in the province. They wished and
prayed for their success during their entire constitutional term.
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