LAHORE – High drama unfolded in the Punjab Assembly on Thursday as a session meant for debating the provincial budget was derailed by a heated altercation over an alleged watch theft, forcing an almost two-hour suspension and triggering loud sloganeering from both treasury and opposition benches.
The disruption began when PML-N MPA Bilal Yasin accused PTI MPA Ejaz Shafi of snatching his wristwatch during a commotion in the House earlier this week. Although Yasin clarified that the watch had no significant monetary value, he emphasized its emotional importance, having received it as a keepsake from his late father.
The accusation immediately ignited uproar in the Assembly. Treasury lawmakers shouted “watch thief” while waving their own wrists mockingly, and opposition members retaliated with chants of “Nawaz Sharif chor hai (Nawaz Sharif is a thief),” plunging the House into complete disorder.
Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari attempted to restore order but ultimately suspended the session. During the recess, the Speaker met behind closed doors with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mujtaba Shuja, Samiullah Khan, and Opposition Leader Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar to de-escalate tensions.
After nearly two hours, the session resumed, but the issue continued to dominate proceedings. MPA Bilal Yasin defended his complaint, accusing the opposition of using slogans to sidetrack the theft. On the other side, Ejaz Shafi dismissed the allegation as “baseless,” and provocatively suggested that the Chief Minister—who has not attended a session in nearly a year—should be searched instead.
In response to the fiasco, the Speaker announced the formation of a special committee to investigate the theft claim.
Once the Assembly regained order, Opposition Leader Malik Bhachar resumed his critique of the 2025–26 budget, labelling it “anti-people” and accusing the government of weaponizing public funds to pursue political vendettas against PTI leaders, including Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
He also questioned the massive jump in the development budget—from Rs 842 billion to Rs 1.24 trillion—calling it a tactic to facilitate financial mismanagement and raise concerns over the government’s ability to execute development projects effectively.
The day’s events have not only drawn criticism from political analysts but have also further highlighted the fragile state of legislative decorum in Punjab’s highest democratic forum, where political point-scoring now routinely overshadows governance and policymaking.
Reported by PakTribune News Desk
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