The Punjab Assembly witnessed a contentious session on Wednesday as Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan and government members raised serious reservations over the proposed Local Government Bill, arguing that it would undermine grassroots governance. Despite the heated debate, the assembly swiftly approved 14 bills in a single sitting, including the Punjab Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2025, amid the opposition's absence.  

With only 50 members present, the government leveraged its majority to pass key legislation, such as the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2025, The Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2025, Punjab Workers Welfare Fund (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Bill 2025. In an unusual move, assembly rules were suspended to fast-track the Anti-Terrorism Punjab (Amendment) Bill 2025, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman citing public interest as the reason for expediting the process.  

The assembly also unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the recent terrorist attack in Khuzdar, Balochistan, which claimed the lives of several children. Provincial Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman presented the resolution, demanding that the perpetrators be brought to justice. Provincial Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari accused "Indian proxies" of orchestrating the attack, stating that these elements continue to destabilize Pakistan. She extended condolences on behalf of the Punjab government and revealed that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had contacted her Balochistan counterpart to offer support.  

Bukhari emphasized the need to continue Operation Bunyan-um Marsoos to eliminate terrorist threats, while a ceremony honoring Field Marshal Asim Munir was canceled in light of the tragedy.  

The session, which began nearly two hours late, saw heated exchanges over governance reforms. Speaker Khan openly criticized the Local Government Bill, stating that it prioritized Deputy Commissioners over elected representatives. Provincial Minister Zeeshan Rafiq dismissed these concerns as "misguided perception," but lawmakers like Ahmad Iqbal insisted the bill would "bury local governments."  

Amid the debate, Speaker Khan urged members to support the *Suthra Punjab* (Clean Punjab) initiative, calling it a revolutionary step for rural development. However, MPA Ahmad Iqbal raised objections, claiming contractors associated with the program were uncooperative in his constituency. The Speaker reminded members that their role was to hold ministers accountable, not to act as administrators.  

The session grew more contentious when Amjad Ali Javed sarcastically remarked that *Suthra Punjab* was "closer to our stomachs than our hearts," prompting the Speaker to share his personal involvement in the cleanliness drive, including cleaning streets during Ramadan.  

As divisions over governance reforms deepened, the Speaker called for transparency while lawmakers demanded greater accountability in local administration. The session concluded with the disposal of opposition questions due to their absence, as Opposition Leader Ahmed Khan Bhachhar and his colleagues were reportedly in Islamabad. Following the completion of the agenda, the Punjab Assembly was adjourned indefinitely.