PTI members assault Deputy Speaker Mazari.

When Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari arrived to head the session convened to elect the chief minister, the Punjab Assembly hall transformed into a battleground today (Saturday).

Despite the presence of security officers, parliamentarians from the ruling party allegedly threw “lotas” at Mazari, attacked him, and pulled his hair.

After the incident, Mazari exited the room.

The PA session was supposed to begin at 11:30 a.m., however it was postponed due to the PTI members’ absence.

When PTI legislators carried “lotas” to the chamber and began chanting “lota, lota” (turncoats) as they lashed out at dissident PTI lawmakers, they created a disturbance.

The purpose of today’s meeting is to elect the chief minister.

Outside the assembly, PML-N lawmaker Ataullah Tarrar urged the Chief Justice of the LHC to look into the event.

“We are not interfering with the house’s proceedings in any way.” We will not leave till the election is completed. “We’ll wait till 12 a.m.,” he said.

Pervez Elahi vs. Hamza Shahbaz

The two contenders, Hamza Shahbaz and Parvez Elahi, are likely to compete fiercely. Hamza is a joint candidate of the PML-N and other coalition parties, while Elahi of the PML-Q has the support of the PTI.

The session on April 16 is being held in accordance with the LHC’s Wednesday order, which rejected Hamza’s request for early elections and restored the deputy speaker’s powers.