LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly has formed the first-ever Parliamentary Judicial Committee to hear and investigate matters related to parliamentary privilege under the Punjab Assembly Privileges Act, 1972.
The committee has been established under Section 11-C of the Punjab Assembly Privileges Act, 1972, on the directions of Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan. MPA Sardar Muhammad Awais Dreshak has been appointed as the committee’s chairman.The committee comprises Syed Ali Haider Gilani, Shaukat Raja, Noor-ul-Amin Wattoo, Chaudhry Iftikhar Hussain Chhachhar, Amjad Ali Javed, Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Rahila Khadim Hussain and Ahmer Rashid Bhatti as members.
The Speaker’s adviser, Usama Khawar Ghumman, will assist the committee in its proceedings.
The Parliamentary Judicial Committee will be empowered to hear, investigate, and decide matters relating to breaches of parliamentary privilege referred to it by the Speaker.It will have the authority to issue notices, summon evidence and official records, record witness statements, and hear the views of the individuals concerned before completing its inquiry.
After concluding its proceedings, the committee will submit its findings and recommendations to the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly for further action.
The committee’s jurisdiction will be limited to cases involving parliamentary privilege and legislative discipline. Criminal and civil cases will remain outside its mandate.
If a breach of privilege is established, the committee may recommend penalties, fines, or other legal action in accordance with the law.
According to sources, the District Police Officer (DPO) of Kasur is expected to become the first public official whose case will be taken up by the newly formed Parliamentary Judicial Committee.
