LAHORE, Aug 18: The Punjab Assembly (PA) on Monday turned into a celebration forum – rejoicing the resignation of General Pervez Musharraf (retired) – with passing a resolution to congratulate the people of Pakistan for “getting rid of a dictator.”

The proceedings on Monday started at 4:45pm – one hour and 15 minute late than its scheduled time – with Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal in chair. After the recitation from the Holy Quran and Naat, the speaker took oath from a newly-elected member Malik Iftikhar Ahmad returned from PP-10, Rawalpindi.

After the oath, Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan sought permission to suspend the scheduled business and allow him to move a resolution on the resignation of the general. Though, the opposition opposed, the treasury benches won the day and the resolution.

Sanaullah later moved the resolution, “congratulating the people of Pakistan, particularly from Punjab, for ending illegal and unconstitutional regime of General Pervez Musharraf (retired).”

The resolution further said that “the dictatorship has been buried for forever with the exit of Musharraf.” Now, Pakistan would move forward on the path of development and progress according to the ideology of the Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The resolution also paid tribute to journalists, lawyers, representatives of the civil society and especially political workers for miseries, trials and victimisation they suffered during these years. The house also praised the judiciary for refusing to genuflect to a dictator.

The house paid tribute to the political sagacity of Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari for honouring their commitment to the people of Pakistan. It also eulogised the services of Benazir Bhutto for democracy and “declared sacrifices of Benazir and other workers resulted into ending the worst and darkest chapter of a dictator.” The house committed that it would continue its struggle for the progress and prosperity of the country.

Opposition Leader Chaudhary Zaheer-ud-Din opposed the resolution and said that there was no cause for celebration as General Musharraf had resigned in the best interest of the country to save Pakistan form the crises through his unconditional resignation.

Referring to the statement of General Musharraf that the country was facing power shortage and economic crises, he said that the government must respond to these challenges. “People need end to their problems and price-hike,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister’s Senior Adviser Sardar Zulifqar Ali Khan Khosa said that the leader of the opposition must reconsider his words he uttered in favour of a dictator. General Musharraf created discord among provinces, turned assemblies into rubber stamps and played with national institutions, Khosa added.

He held General Musharraf responsible for the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti and Benazir Bhutto and wondered “how the opposition has found moral courage to support such a man.” Khosa said that it was time to understand the sensitivity of the situation, sit together and look into the issues faced by the country collectively.

Senior Minister Raja Riaz said that it was Thanksgiving Day as the country had got rid of a dictator. The resignation of General Musharraf was the result of the sacrifices of the PPP and the war started by Benazir had been won by the people of Pakistan. “General Musharraf used to say that he would not resign, but he has.”

Later, the house passed the resolution with the majority of voice vote and the speaker adjourned the proceedings for 15 minutes. When the proceedings resumed again, treasury members, including Ali Haider Khan Niazi, Haji Allah Rakha, Abul Rehman Ansari and Azma Bokhari, also congratulated the people of Pakistan on the historic moment.

In the meantime, Naseem Lodhi of the opposition pointed out the quorum, which was found missing. Bells were ordered to be rung for five minutes after the counting but the headcount did not improve and the chair finally adjourned the house till Tuesday morning. — Staff Reporter