It was a different day in the Punjab Assembly on Friday. The Assembly met after more than one year for the first session, where 321 newly elected Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) took their oaths.
Many of these MPs became part of the Assembly for the first time. They are young, new, and full of energy. With dreams in their eyes, these young politicians are eager to make a positive impact on their constituencies.
One such newcomer is Hassan Iqbal Buttar, in his early 30s, winning the PP-65 Gujranwala seat for the first time. A graduate of Government College University (GCU) Lahore, Buttar aims to bring significant reforms to the education and health sectors in his area.
“Nadala Sandhuan is a union council in my constituency that doesn’t even have a high school,” Buttar said after taking the oath as an MPA. He mentioned the poor condition of roads and basic health units (BHUs) in his area, which was previously a stronghold of the PML-N party.
الحمد للہ بطور ممبر صوبائی اسمبلی حلف اٹھالیا۔ میرا وعدہ ہے کہ اس فلور کو اپنی عوام کے مفاد اور ان سے کیے گئے وعدوں کو پورا کرنے کیلئے استعمال کروں گا۔ انشااللہ pic.twitter.com/RKdBDzQT4O
— Rana Sikandar Hayat (@RanaSikandarH) February 23, 2024
Although he will sit on the opposition benches in the Punjab Assembly, Buttar hopes to make his voice heard and contribute positively from this significant platform.
Rana Sikandar Hayat Khan is another first-time MPA from PP-183 Kasur. He comes from an influential political family in Phoolnagar and wants to focus on youth-related initiatives.
“I’ll revive the playgrounds and cricket stadiums in my constituency,”
Khan (PMLN)
Education is also a priority for him, as he plans to sit on the treasury benches.
Tayyab Rashid Sandhu, a lawyer, became an MPA for the first time from PP-141 Sheikhupura as an independent candidate backed by the PTI. He aims to promote the rule of law in the country and address the issue of development funds being largely allocated to the treasury benches.
While expressing disappointment about the opposition being ignored in the system, Sandhu is determined to play a positive role in legislation during his tenure in the Assembly.