In a significant development concerning parliamentary compliance, the membership of 41 Punjab Assembly lawmakers has been officially restored following their submission of asset declarations. This move comes as part of ongoing efforts to enforce transparency and accountability among elected representatives.
Nine Members Remain Suspended for Non-Compliance
However, nine members of the Punjab Assembly continue to face suspension due to their failure to comply with the mandatory requirement of submitting asset declarations. According to sources, these suspended members will be barred from participating in today's session of the Punjab Assembly, highlighting the strict enforcement of rules.
Background and Context of the Suspensions
Initially, a total of 50 Punjab Assembly members were affected by this issue, but 41 have now successfully submitted their declarations of assets and liabilities, leading to their reinstatement. The Punjab Assembly Secretariat has taken proactive measures by sharing the list of suspended members with security staff to ensure strict implementation and prevent their entry into the assembly session.
Broader Implications and ECP's Stance
This situation is part of a larger crackdown by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which earlier suspended the memberships of 159 lawmakers from national and provincial assemblies for failing to submit their financial statements. The ECP's list includes 32 members of the National Assembly, 50 from the Punjab Assembly, 33 from the Sindh Assembly, 28 from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, seven from the Balochistan Assembly, and nine senators.
The ECP has reiterated that the suspension will remain in effect until the concerned members submit their asset declarations in accordance with the law, underscoring the importance of adherence to regulatory requirements for all elected officials.
