Firdous Ashiq Awan downplays being denied entry into the Punjab parliament

PTI leader Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan downplayed on Monday that he was denied entry to the Punjab parliament to participate in the PTI MPA Ahsan Saleem Baryar oath ceremony.

Videos circulating on social media showed that Awan was stopped by security guards at the gate of the provincial assembly. The officials showed her a list of guests who were allowed to participate in the Baryar swearing ceremony. Her name was removed from the list, and she left the venue.

In an interview with the media outside the provincial assembly, she said that she was late for the oath ceremony and the meeting was over, so “I didn’t have to go there. So I think it’s appropriate not to go to the assembly, so there is no such thing as someone targeting me and Stop me from entering”.

She said that PML-Q is an ally of PTI, and the spokesperson of the Punjab Parliament, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, has the right to allow or deny entry as a guardian. “No matter what issues we have in the House of Representatives, we will solve them ourselves,” she said.

When talking about her previous role as the Special Information Assistant to the Chief Minister of Punjab, Usman Bouzdar (SACM), she said that her statement was not directed at individuals, but the government’s position and policy, so “if there are any reservations Opinions, I will resolve them together with the Speaker”.

According to reports, the President of the Punjab Provincial Assembly was angry with her, and the reporters pressured her, saying that she was the “strongest voice” in advocating and strengthening the PTI-PML-Q alliance. “Today we also believe that…we must move forward together and resolve any reservations (if any).”

Awan explained that when asked why no minister or official came out to receive her, she did not tell anyone about her visit. “The purpose of my coming is to take an oath. The ceremony is over and the meeting is adjourned, so we can also chat outside,” she said.

When asked again if she became a personal goal due to the political relationship between PTI and PML-Q, Awan replied: “These are political ups and downs… I think the position you are referring to, if Exist, then this is a small gesture, big people have big ideas, they will not participate in such things, I think the speaker will not notice this.”

She praised Chowdhury Pervaiz Ellahi as a man of “grand” thinking and vision, saying that he is very closely connected with the country. “I don’t think he will target any current or former members and slander them…I hope he has big ideas,” Awan said.

Regarding her future political role in PTI, Awan stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, she will perform any role the party deems appropriate in an honest and trustworthy manner.

Awan resigned on Friday less than a year after being appointed to the position, citing “unavoidable personal reasons.”