Azma asks Opp to play constructive role to serve people

Minister Information & Culture Punjab Azma Bokhari said on Saturday that the present government has always followed parliamentary traditions, democratic ideals and the spirit of tolerance and opposition has been given full opportunity to express its views in the Punjab Assembly.

She stated that while they were in the opposition, the opposition members of her party were not given the opportunity to speak for more than a few minutes, but the present government has shown patience and democratic maturity by allowing the opposition to freely air its ideas.

“Respect for the Speaker’s Chair was a basic parliamentary principle and the conduct of the Chair should not be challenged, Azma Bokhari said.

She called on the opposition to cease criticizing for the sake of criticism and to play a constructive role in serving the public.

“If the opposition had done one meaningful public welfare initiative during its tenure instead of playing political point-scoring and using religion for political mileage, it would have had achievements worth highlighting today,” province minister said.

Allah, she continued, entrusts good actions to whom He wants and leaves others to follow their own choices. Those who were fortunate to be given the opportunity to serve the public were fulfilling that responsibility, while those who were committed to destructive politics and generating discontent were moving on their chosen road, she said.

Faisalabad: Azma Bokhari paid tributes to ministers, district administrations, police, religious scholars, peace committees and all departments that did their duties during Muharram in Faisalabad. “They deserve commendation for working around the clock to save lives and property and maintaining law and order,” she said.

She said special orders of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had been issued for taking additional measures for ensuring calm and flawless security for processions and religious gatherings and accommodate mourning during Muharram.

The minister further said that the Chief Minister himself had maintained a close watch on the situation in all parts of Punjab and had ensured that all relevant ministries were fully mobilised to ensure public peace and harmony during the holy month.