LAHORE (APP) - Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari on Saturday said that the present government has always upheld parliamentary traditions, democratic values and the spirit of tolerance, adding that the opposition has been given full opportunity to express its views in the Punjab Assembly.
Speaking in the Punjab Assembly, she said that when her party was in the opposition, its members were not allowed to speak for more than a few minutes, whereas the current government had demonstrated patience and democratic maturity by allowing the opposition to voice its opinions freely.
Azma Bokhari said that respect for the Speaker’s Chair was a fundamental parliamentary principle and that the conduct of the Chair should not be challenged.
She urged the opposition to move beyond criticism for the sake of criticism and play a constructive role in serving the public.
The provincial minister remarked that if the opposition had delivered even one meaningful public welfare initiative during its tenure instead of engaging in political point-scoring and using religion for political mileage, it would have had achievements worth highlighting today.
She said that Allah entrusts good deeds to whom He wills and leaves others to follow their own choices. She added that those blessed with the opportunity to serve the people were fulfilling that responsibility, while those committed to negative politics and creating unrest continued on their chosen path.
Azma Bokhari paid tribute to ministers, district administrations, police, religious scholars, peace committees and all departments that performed their duties during Muharram in Faisalabad. She said they deserved appreciation for working tirelessly to protect lives and property and maintain law and order.
She said that under the special directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, extraordinary measures had been taken to ensure peace, provide foolproof security for processions and religious gatherings, and facilitate mourners during Muharram.
The minister added that the Chief Minister personally monitored the situation across Punjab and kept all relevant departments fully mobilized to safeguard public peace and maintain harmony during the holy month.