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Continuing the protest against the suspension of 11 legislators of the opposition during Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's budget speech, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) will commence its symbolic 'parallel session' at the gate of the Punjab Assembly today.

the PTI-backed opposition has named this symbolic protest session the 'Awami Assembly.' The opposition has boycotted the Punjab Assembly session since last Friday and also held a 'parallel session' at the assembly gate last Saturday. 

Preparations for the Awami Assembly session outside the Punjab Assembly gate are underway, with rugs, chairs, and fans already in place. 

As per the report, water coolers and tents have also been set up at the protest site.

Police personnel and the Anti-Riot Force are present outside the Punjab Assembly gate to manage the situation.

Yesterday, the PTI-backed opposition announced a boycott of the house proceedings and has decided not to participate in its standing committees. Instead, they held a parallel session in a tent outside the assembly building. 

Opposition leader Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar made the announcement at a press conference on Tuesday, stating that they would neither engage in any house proceedings nor join any committees.

Bhachar explained that this decision was a protest against the suspension of 11 opposition lawmakers for 15 sittings. He pledged to continue the boycott until the sanction is withdrawn. 

The sanctions were imposed by Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan, who also withdrew the official vehicle provided to the opposition leader. 

The suspensions were a response to what was described as "rowdyism" during Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's speech on the completion of the annual budget approval process last Friday.

The suspended opposition members include Zulfikar Ali, Shehbaz Ahmed, Muhammad Atif, Tayyab Rashid, Imtiaz Mahmood, Hafiz Farhat Abbas, Ejaz Shafi, Rana Aurangzeb, Shoaib Amir, Osama Asghar Ali Gujjar, and Asad Abbas.

These legislators allegedly used non-parliamentary and abusive language against the chief minister while she was recounting the achievements of her first 100 days in office during the budget approval process.

The opposition leader in PA Bhachar claimed that the chief minister directed the suspensions due to the opposition's objections to the budget.