Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was on Wednesday forced into stepping in to handle the worsening situation in the wake of Rana Sanaullah’s remarks against Babar Awan. The treasury and opposition in the Punjab Assembly only stopped short of trading blows over the Punjab law minister’s remarks, wherein he declared former federal law minister Babar Awan liable to death. The chief minister had to rush to the Punjab Assembly after hearing about the rumpus that had compelled speaker to adjourn the session for an hour.
Shahbaz held a meeting with Opposition Leader Raja Raiz and assured him of keeping check on such provocative statements against the leadership of opponent parties in the future.
Assembly sources said the chief minister offered to constitute an inquiry committee to look into the matter and report him the facts about the occurrence at the earliest. The sources said although a formal committee had not been constituted, three members each from the PML-N and PPP would meet today (Thursday) to discuss the matter further.
They said Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa, PA Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal and Deputy Speaker Rana Mashhud Ahmed Khan from the treasury, while Opposition Leader Raja Riaz, PPP Parliamentary leader Major (r) Zulfiqar Gondal and Deputy Parliamentary Leader Shaukat Basra from the opposition would take part in the talks.