Opp condemns bar on Hamza's travel.

Byline: Iqtidar Gilani

LAHORE -- Opposition condemned stopping Hamza Shehbaz from going abroad and putting his name on the black list at the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday.

Terming treatment with the opposition leader in PA worst kind of political victimization, legislators from the PML-N and the PPP warned the government to avoid going to such an extent that could results in no opposition and no treasury.

Six bills including the Punjab Domestic Workers Bill 2018 was introduced which were referred to special committee with the direction to submit report within two months.

The session started one hour and 45 minutes beyond the scheduled time with Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari in the chair.

On a point of order, PML-N legislator Waris Kallu drew the attention of the chair towards the incident of stopping Hamza Shehbaz from boarding a flight of Qatar Airways and putting his name on black list. He said the FIA's action was blatant violation of Lahore High Court's order. He said that Justice Baqar Najfi had made it clear that no action should be taken without prior permission of the court. He said that it was a pity that the government had gone to such an extent of victimizing PML-N leaders. He said elected members should be given due respect according to the law and parliamentary norms. He said that the PML-N wanted the government to continue functioning but the rulers seemed to be in a hurry to wind up the entire system.

The chair admitted flaws in laws regarding production orders of members and dealing with those facing legal procedures. He said a House committee comprising senior legislators would be formed for suggesting necessary amendments in relevant laws. He said all members of the House deserve respect regardless of political affiliation.

Condemning the incident, PPP's Hassan Murtaza said that it could not be justified and defended at any forum.

He lamented that the the ministers were acting as spokespersons of NAB. Apparently, he said, it was victimization and not accountability. He asked if the accountability was the fate of only the politicians and military generals, judges and bureaucrats wewre exempted. He demanded across the board accountability including that of military generals, judges and bureaucrats. In the absence of that, he said, the exercise would remain mere victimization.

PML-N's Khalil Tahir Sindhu accused the government of carrying too much bias against the PML-N. He said that...