LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly session convened on Monday with Panel of Chairman Samiullah Khan presiding over the proceedings. The session began with prayers offered for the souls of former Punjab Chief Minister Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo and Member of Provincial Assembly Irfan Shafi Khokhar, both of whom had recently passed away.
Members across the House paid heartfelt tributes to the departed leaders, acknowledging their valuable contributions to public service while expressing profound sorrow over their demise. The atmosphere in the assembly reflected the collective grief shared by lawmakers from all political divides.
Opposition member Rana Shahbaz formally requested that the session be adjourned in view of Irfan Shafi Khokhar’s death. His proposal received immediate support from government members Iftikhar Hussain Chachhar and Raja Shaukat Bhatti, who joined in appealing for the postponement of proceedings. Raja Shaukat Bhatti additionally proposed that a portrait of the late Irfan Shafi Khokhar be displayed in the Assembly corridor as a permanent tribute to his legacy and services.
Several government members took the floor to share their condolences and praise the deceased leaders. Tariq Mahmood Gill, Saeed Akbar Nawani, Raja Shaukat Bhatti, Iftikhar Hussain Chachhar, and numerous other legislators spoke emotionally about the contributions of both departed souls while extending their sympathies to the grieving families. Irfan Shafique Khokhar, who hailed from a distinguished political family, had won his first seat in the Punjab Assembly on a Pakistan Muslim League-N ticket and had earned recognition for his political wisdom and dedicated service.
After carefully considering the requests from both government and opposition benches, Panel of Chairman Samiullah Khan decided to adjourn the Punjab Assembly session until two o’clock on Tuesday afternoon. No legislative business was conducted during the day’s proceedings. All members present in the House joined in offering prayers for the departed souls and stood in solidarity with their bereaved families during this time of immense loss.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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