LAHORE: Tensions ran high in the Punjab Assembly on Monday when opposition MPA Khalid Nisar Dogar physically assaulted treasury bench member Hassan Riaz during a heated session, forcing the Acting Speaker Zahid Iqbal Channar to abruptly suspend proceedings.
The incident unfolded during a contentious debate on the assembly floor. Verbal jabs exchanged between Dogar and Riaz quickly escalated, culminating in Dogar slapping Riaz in full view of the assembly. The scuffle drew immediate reaction from members of both sides, leading to a brief melee inside the house.
In an effort to restore order, the acting speaker adjourned the session for five minutes. After consultations with senior parliamentary leaders, opposition members were asked to rejoin the proceedings. Speaker Channar later reconvened the house and emphasized the importance of maintaining decorum in a democratic institution.
Government members, visibly angered by the incident, strongly condemned the opposition’s conduct. They labeled the act “unparliamentary and unacceptable,” urging the speaker to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Dogar.
“This is a forum for debate, not violence,” a senior government MPA said. “We can tolerate political sloganeering, but physical aggression has no place in a democratic setting.”
The altercation underscores the increasingly confrontational atmosphere in Punjab’s political landscape, where partisan rifts have deepened in recent months. Political analysts say such disruptions not only damage the sanctity of parliamentary institutions but also reflect the broader polarization gripping the province. Further proceedings on potential action against the involved lawmakers are expected in the coming sessions.
