Opposition parties in the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday criticized the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for allegedly blocking the passage of Compulsory Teaching of the Holy Quran Bill 2017. The bill moved by Jamaat-e-Islami's lawmaker Wasim Akhtar on January 30 was on the assembly's agenda on Wednesday. However, an MPA Waheed Gull, belonging to the ruling party, pointed out lack of quorum upon which Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Mohammad Iqbal Khan first adjourned the session for five minutes and then for another 20 minutes before adjourning the session till May 3.
Earlier, the session started 1 hour 45 minutes late under the chair of PA speaker. The opposition members demanded that Law Minster Rana Sanaullah should apologize in the house for his derogatory remarks against the PTI women who participated in the public meeting of PTI at Minar-e-Pakistan. Opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly Mian Mahmood-ur-Rashid said they will continue their protest until Rana Sanaullah apologizes in the House.
Mian Mahmood-ur-Rashid and Syed Wasim Akhtar while talking to media termed the lack of quorum a deliberate attempt to 'sabotage' the bill. "They have created a hurdle in the passing of the bill," they said.