Pakistan, July 8 -- Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, has stated that the disqualification of 26 opposition members is constitutionally valid under Article 63(2) of the Constitution. He emphasized that lawmakers must respect the Assembly as the "house of democracy" and refrain from behavior that disrupts its integrity.

Speaking to students at LUMS University, the speaker said the 26 opposition lawmakers violated their oath to uphold the Constitution. Their actions during recent Assembly proceedings, including disruptions, abusive gestures, and harassment, have triggered provisions that justify their disqualification.

He criticized the opposition's history of violent protests during budget sessions, saying such a...