hen it was expected that the #PunjabAssembly would elect its chief minister today in line with the orders of the Lahore High Court (LHC), the #PTI lawmakers created a ruckus inside the hall and attacked Deputy Speaker Mazari.

After much wait and delay due to a ruckus, the session finally started, with Deputy Speaker Mazari in the chair once the assembly's order was restored.

The session was scheduled to start at 11:30am. However, it was delayed as government lawmakers — PTI and PML-Q — resorted to violence.

Earlier, the lawmakers of the ruling party had thrown "lotas" at Mazari first, attacked Mazari and pulled his hair despite the presence of security guards. The deputy speaker left the hall after this and the session was delayed.

Before assaulting Mazari, the PTI lawmakers caused a ruckus when they brought "lotas" to the house and started chanting "lota, lota" (turncoats) as they lashed out at dissident PTI MPAs who parted ways with the party and decided to support the Opposition.

As the situation got intense and requests were made for the police to control the situation, the anti-riot force personnel entered the assembly wearing bulletproof jackets and made the arrests of the PTI MPAs.

The police entered the premises of the Punjab Assembly through the old building and took control of the situation.

With all that was going on, Elahi was not spared as well and became a target of the violence in the assembly that left him injured.

"They have rewarded me well in return for my goodness," said Elahi — who got his hand bandaged after he was injured during the ruckus.

"Has this ever happened to any speaker before," asked the PML-Q leader, adding that everything was pre-planned.

They crossed all lines today trying to manhandle me in an attempt to "finish me", he said.

Elahi said that the courts are not for the poor and he will ask for justice from God.

Recalling the time when the Supreme Court took notice at midnight, Elahi said that sou moto notice is taken when influential people are involved.

Talking about the fight in the assembly, Speaker Elahi alleged that Hamza Shahbaz was giving orders to "hit" the members.

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