The government on Wednesday abolished the “independent status” of the Punjab Assembly bringing it under the domain of the Law Department.
Clipping its powers, the Punjab Assembly has again been made Law Department’s special institute and from now on the Law Department will issue all the notifications concerning the Punjab Assembly.
Punjab Assembly Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti’s services have also been handed over to the Law Department. Muhammad Khan Bhatti has been serving as Secretary, Provincial Assembly of the Punjab since 2008.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has slashed powers of Speaker of provincial assembly through an ordinance.
According to the ordinance issued by Governor Balighur Rehman, whenever Punjab Assembly session is prorogued, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department shall issue notifications regarding summoning or prorogation of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab.
The ordinance adds that Punjab Assembly is not in session and the governor is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary to take immediate action.
Earlier, Governor Balighur Rehman prorogued the 40th assembly session on Tuesday, summoning 41st session at the Aiwan-e-Iqbal on Wednesday, but the Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has refused to accept the governor’s decision.
