LAHORE – In an unusual gesture, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan on Tuesday pledged to protect the opposition’s right to representation in the provincial legislature, asserting that the Assembly remains the only effective forum available to opposition lawmakers to raise concerns and challenge perceived injustices. Speaking in the Punjab Assembly, the Speaker stressed that while the governments had multiple platforms to communicate their position, the opposition relied primarily on parliament to voice public grievances. “The government has dozens of forums to present its case, but the opposition has only one forum — the Assembly. No one can deprive it of that right,” he said. The Speaker’s observations came against the backdrop of mounting disquiet among treasury lawmakers who have privately complained of an apparent soft corner for the Opposition during the budget session. Government members have been particularly perturbed by the leeway granted to opposition legislators to raise political grievances and broader governance issues during the budget debate. In the past, the opposition lawmakers were routinely directed to restrict their speeches to budgetary proposals and avoid unrelated political discussions. Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan also disclosed that he had received letters from opposition lawmakers regarding various grievances. However, he said a detailed discussion on those matters would take place after the conclusion of the ongoing budget session.Reiterating his role as the custodian of the House, the Speaker vowed to respond to every question raised by the opposition and ensure that its right to representation remains protected. “There will be no compromise on parliamentary supremacy or the dignity of the House. 

As custodian of the Assembly, I will fulfil my responsibilities,” he said.
The Speaker added that criticism directed at him for “delivering lectures” did not concern him. “I simply speak the truth,” he remarked, describing politics as a form of public service and commitment to principles.
The Speaker also addressed the issue of parliamentary oversight and a mounting backlog of privilege motions pending before the Assembly. He revealed that more than 70 privilege motions, filed by both treasury and opposition members, are currently awaiting disposal.
Acknowledging the challenge posed by the large number of pending cases, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said taking up all the motions could consume considerable House time. However, he assured lawmakers that all admissible motions would either be referred to the relevant forums or taken up by the Assembly, even through additional sittings if necessary.
“The budget session is the most important parliamentary phase of the year and every member will be given a full opportunity to participate in the debate,” he said, adding that efforts would nevertheless be made to clear the pending privilege motions during the current session.
The Speaker noted that the number of privilege motions has been increasing steadily and that he had so far reviewed motions relating to only one government department. He emphasized that parliamentary oversight is a fundamental component of a democratic system and warned against political interference, misuse of authority and the improper use of official power.
“I am an advocate of parliamentary oversight,” he said. “For me, the question of the use of power in uniform and the supremacy of parliament is extremely important.”
In unusually strong remarks, the Speaker declared that he would rather leave office than compromise on constitutional principles. “If I fail to fulfil the spirit of the Constitution or ensure parliamentary supremacy, I will immediately step down. Leaving office is not a big matter, but compromising on principles is unacceptable,” he said.