LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: PTI’s Sibtain Khan was elected as the new speaker of the Punjab Assembly on Friday with 185 votes against 175 votes of PML, and his first order of business was to allow a motion to be moved against Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari.
The office of the speaker of Punjab Assembly fell vacant after Chaudhry Pervez Elahi became the chief minister.
Out of the 364 votes cast, four were rejected during the session, which was presided over by PTI MPA Waseem Khan Badozai. The rejected votes included three of the Opposition and one of the PTI.
Soon after victory of Sibtain Khan, Badozai, who is the panel chairman, administered an oath to the speaker.
Sardar Sibtain Khan, after taking charge of the speaker’s post, thanked the Assembly for entrusting him with the respect of the House.
“Some time ago, the police came to the house, the house was disrespected. I will try to prevent such incidents from happening again,” said the speaker before postponing the session for 30 minutes.
After victory of Sibtain Khan, Punjab Chief Minister Elahi congratulated the PTI lawmaker.
“It is hoped that Sibtain Khan will run the Punjab Assembly in a good manner,” said the CM, adding that the opposition, like before, faced another defeat today.
The chief minister added that the Opposition will “continue to receive such surprises in the future”, adding that the Punjab government will work day and night to serve the province.
