LAHORE: Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has strongly indicated his opposition to the proposed `Goonda Act` drafted by the home department, vowing to resist its implementation even if it means approaching Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He declared he would not support such a law and would go `wherever I had to go.During the assembly session requisitioned by the opposition Pakistan Tehreeki-Insaf and began 2:13 hours late, he also offered `free advice` to PTI, urging them to abandon talks of bringing a no-confidence motion against the government.

He claimed that many parliamentarians within PTI`s ranks are against the party`s political style, suggesting that 20 to 25 PTI members might desert the party during a no-confidence vote.

Khan emphasised the need to eradicate terrorism and condemned the act of disguising crime as politics. He also accused RAW of involvement in terrorism in Balochistan, stating that the Pakistan Army would eliminate it.

During the session, MPAs raised concerns regarding delayed agendas and the delegation of law-making authority to bureaucracy in new legislation, a point acknowledged by Speaker Khan. He specifically cited the 1972 Act, stating that anMPA should head committee meetings, if present.

Opposition MPA Ahmar Bhatti protested a 26 per cent increase in private school fees for summer holidays, citing a High Court decision for half fees. The speaker referred the matter to the Standing Committee on Education.

Parliamentary Secretary for Sports Anas Mahmood answered questions, and the issue of Pakistan`s football team participating in FIFA was raised. The chair sarcastically commented on the state of sports federations in the country, saying if Chaudhry Shujaat would be leading the Kabaddi Association and Arshad Lodhi Football Association, then what to expect by joining the FIFA-led tournaments.

PTI`s Hafiz Farhat Javed criticised the leadership of sports boards, suggesting that Mohsin Naqvi, current PCB chairman, should alsobe replaced.

Treasury member Ahmed Iqbalraisedconcerns about local government work quality and corruption affecting road construction.

Amjad Ali Javed, also a ruling party MPA,expressed frustration over his adjournment motion not being on the agenda and questioned if members could speak against `systemic Brahmins.

PPP MPA Mumtaz Chang noted that the agenda was changed after six months when questions were submitted.

The session faced a quorum issue, prompting Speaker Khan to order the bells to be rung twice for five minutes each. He noted that the requisitioning party was responsible for ensuring the quorum.

The proceedings were later deferred for Tuesday (today) afternoon on completion of agenda.

Addressing a ceremony later, Speaker Khan said the present era is one of dialogue and the supremacy of the Constitution.

Whether a democratic system exists or not,every country has some form of legislative institutions. Only by strengthening the Parliament and elected representatives can the system be fortified.

No political party should be allowed to gain popularity by criticising the armed forces, he said, adding that the abolition of institutions like NAB (National Accountability Bureau) could not materialise due to the intervention of the judiciary at the time.

He reminded that former prime minister Shahid Khagan Abbasi had said that if he tried to abolish NAB, the chief justice would have his throat slit.

He stated that the same parties currently criticising the military had in the past come into power with its support. Referring to the economic situation, he said that negotiations with the IMF are ongoing, but the economy cannot be strengthened unless the public pays taxes but politicians often avoid taxation to protecttheirvote bank.