Alex Palou’s historic NTT INDYCAR SERIES season continued Sunday with a win in the Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup at Iowa Speedway.
The driver of the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda won his seventh win of the season, becoming the first driver since Al Unser Jr. in 1994 to win this many times in the first 12 races of the season. Five races remain as Palou chases the all-time record of 10 held by A.J. Foyt (1964) and Al Unser (1970).
Palou also gave Honda its 11th win in 12 races this season. Chevrolet’s victory came Saturday when Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward won the Synk 275 powered by Sukup.
NORTH BERWICK, Scotland — Chris Gotterup had a plane ticket for California to play an opposite-field event in Lake Tahoe. The only change in itinerary would be to take down Rory McIlroy at the Scottish Open before a sellout crowd expecting the Masters champion to claim his 30th title on the PGA Tour.
Gotterup handled it all with poise to go with his great strength.
He delivered all the right shots — the short birdie putt on the par-3 12th to build a two-shot lead, the 10-foot birdie on the par-5 16th to restore a two-shot lead – and closed with a 4-under 66 to hold off McIlroy and Marco Penge of England.
The victory sends him to Royal Portrush for his British Open debut, an extended trip to links golf that is starting to suit him.
Time to cancel that flight.
“I might do it right now in front of you,” Gotterup said, the trophy at his side that also sends him to the Masters next year for the first time.
He earned those perks. Gotterup, tied with McIlroy to start the final round, drove into a bunker and had to make a nervy 4-footer for bogey on the opening hole. That was a reminder nothing was going to come easily.
“I definitely was the villain out there today,” he said. “I felt like I was ready and prepared mentally today. And that’s kind of what I’ve been talking about over the last couple of weeks, that I’ve kind of gotten into the mix a little bit and just faded away a little bit. And today, my goal was to hang in there tough and I felt like I did that really well.”
He finished at 15-under 265 and moves into the top 50 in the world for the first time.
“Chris played a great round of golf. He was so solid,” McIlroy said. “Made the bogey on 15 but bounced back with a really nice birdie on 16. After he got a couple ahead, I just couldn’t claw back.”
Gotterup was one shot ahead of McIlroy when he hit his tee shot on the 196-yard 12th hole to 2 feet for birdie – McIlroy missed from 4 feet – to take command.
His lead was down to one over McIlroy and Penge, but McIlroy missed a 12-foot birdie at the par-5 16th and Gotterup hit a right-to-left putt from 10 feet in the heart of the cup for a two-shot lead with two to play.
Gotterup was so emotional when it was over he could barely speak, rubbing his eyes before saying, “Everyone at home … this is awesome. I’m not going to be able to keep it together.”
Next stop is the British Open
Gotterup, built more like fellow New Jersey athlete Mike Trout than a golfer, also won the opposite-field Myrtle Beach Classic last year. The Genesis Scottish Open had one of the strongest fields of the year, and the perks are far greater.
The first stop is the British Open at Royal Portrush. Gotterup earned one of the three final spots through the International Qualifying Series, joined by Nicolai Hojgaard and Matti Schmid.
Hojgaard closed with a 64 to move up 11 spots into a tie for fourth to join his twin brother at Royal Portrush. Schmid shot 71 and tied for 17th, helped by Jake Knapp’s late collapse.
Knapp was tied for the lead through five holes, but he took double bogey on the par-3 ninth and the rest of the back nine didn’t go much better. He closed with a 74, losing on a chance to win and to play next week at Royal Portrush.
Good timing for McIlroy
McIlroy had said he was playing his best golf since going into the Masters, which he won in emotional fashion to complete the career Grand Slam. This was the first time he had seriously contended since that Masters victory, good timing with the Open in his native Northern Ireland starting on Thursday.
But he couldn’t keep up with Gotterup, who looked shaky at the start when he drove into a bunker and had to make a 4-foot bogey putt. He was rock solid the rest of the way.
“I’m really happy with where my game is – the way I played over the weekend, the shots that I hit, how I controlled my ball flight,” McIlroy said. “It has been a great week. Missing the trophy, that’s about it.”
McIlroy battled to the end, especially on No. 11 when he had to pitch out left-handed and still managed to save par. When it was over, he said he was on his way to Royal Portrush, which McIlroy had not seen since the Friday of the 2019 British Open when he missed the cut.
Former U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick had a 67 and tied for fourth with Hojgaard, picking up valuable FedEx Cup points in what has been a down year.
Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 player coming off a two-week break, had a 67 and tied for eighth. It was his 10th consecutive tournament finishing eighth or better, a streak that began in the Houston Open.
Jannik Sinner’s task was already tough enough: defeat rival Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s final of Wimbledon on Sunday. Then he had to deal with Champagne corks.
Up 2-1 in the second set after dropping the first, the Italian was about to serve for a chance to win the game. But an ill-timed bottle pop from the crowd resulted in a cork landing on the court. Sinner stopped bouncing the tennis ball and took a few steps back. Alcaraz, across the net, threw his hands up in frustration.
Sinner picked up the cork and handed it to a ball girl, who sprinted off with the 2-inch disruption.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the umpire said on the loudspeaker, “as a courtesy to both players, please do not pop Champagne corks just as the players are about to serve.”
Sinner would go on to defeat Alcaraz in four sets to claim his first Wimbledon trophy. With Sunday’s victory, Sinner has now won every Grand Slam except the French Open.
He was asked after the match about “having to avoid a Champagne cork that came onto the court.”
Sinner said it’s only happened at Wimbledon.
“But that’s exactly why we love playing here,” he joked. “It’s a very expensive tournament.”
Sunday’s Champagne incident wasn’t the first time it occurred at Wimbledon this year. In the women’s singles quarterfinal last Tuesday, a fan uncorked a bottle just as Anastasia Potapova was set to serve to Mirra Andreeva.
Earlier in the tournament, American star Amanda Anisimova squared off with Hungarian Dalma Galfi. Moments before tossing the ball for a serve, a cork popped in the crowd, causing her to be visibly upset and voice her displeasure.
The umpire reminded the crowd of the etiquette rules, prompting a broadcaster to say it was “the most Wimbledon warning you’ve ever heard.”
Anisimova, who went on to make the women’s singles final before falling in straight sets to Iga Swiatek, spoke after the match about the constant cork popping.
“I mean, it kept happening,” she told Reuters. “At some point I was like, ‘Can everybody just do it on the changeover?’”
Wimbledon is the most prestigious tournament in tennis, an event that has taken place since 1877. Unlike other Grand Slams, there is a dress code for all competitors: all white. Fans at the All England Club must also follow stringent rules, one being the popping of bottles in the stands.
On the entry to the grounds, it’s stated that “all corked bottles, including bottles of champagne and sparkling wine, must be opened prior to being taken into the stands of any court.”
That’s all from me. Thanks for reading, and for your emails.
Congratulations to Chelsea, who were absolutely brilliant today. Commiserations to PSG, a step too far after a sensational season.
Cheers, and onwards to 2025-26.
Trump also speaks to Dazn. There is a lot of bluster about winning and success, which I won’t report on, but I’m happy to tell you that the US president has called football “a growing sport”.
Trump also appears to refer to “good friend” Fifa president as Jonny, but that might just have been his pronunciation of Gianni.
Marquinhos, the PSG captain, speaks:
Chelsea played better than us today. Physically, Chelsea are in better shape than us, and that’s where we fell short today.
We did so well throughout this tournament, this season. I am so happy with this team.
An extremely cringy trophy ceremony, which Fifa and Trump will claim as a victory, was only outdone by the Robbie Williams pre-match song. I implore you to seek out the Brit’s performance without clenching your jaw.
“Just a small correction re your live report,” emails Lewis Denby. The MetLife holds 93,000 not for football, but for concerts. Its listed capacity for football is 82,500 – so seat kills taken into account, it was probably near enough a sell-out.”
Ah, fair play. Thanks for pointing that out, Lewis.
I was too busy typing but Dan Davies emails: “Did I just see Ty George dodge Trump’s handshake? If so he’s a hero.”
Jacob Steinberg, one of our reporters at the MetLife, confirms the presence of boos in the stands, and the fact they turned the music up when they first happened. “The boos are very much for Trump”, emails Jacob.
Chelsea go up to receive their medals, and they look understandable delighted. Infantino, dressed in sneakers and a dark suit greets each player with an overfamiliar enthusiasm, which I can’t say is reciprocated. Captain Reece James is the last to go up and takes his position at the front of the squad as Infantino and Trump bring over the giant spherical trophy …
Chelsea are world champions. Photograph: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
PSG receive a guard of honour from Chelsea on their way to collect the runners-up medals, which is #classytouch from the London side.
Luis Enrique looks like he has cheered up since his swipe at João Pedro. He awkwardly receives his medal from Trump.
A few individual tournament prizes to hand out, before Chelsea collect the main prize.
Real Madrid’s Gonzalo García wins the Golden Boot for his exploits, what a breakthrough for the youngster.
Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez wins the Golden Glove for conceding the fewest goals in the tournament.
Best young player goes to PSG’s Desire Doué.
Cole Palmer wins the Golden Ball for the best player at the Club World Cup. He briefly shares a moment with Trump, just imagine the dialogue between those two.
Donald Trump would surely have been voted player of the tournament, had he played. Photograph: Seth Wenig/AP
It turns out Donald Trump is going to be part of the trophy ceremony. Flanked by Fifa president Gianni Infantino and Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly, Trump takes to the field waving and smiling, his red tie flapping in the breeze. With a few noticeable boos coming from the stands, the music is turned up to the max. This has the potential to turn ugly.
I was saying Boo-urns. Photograph: Frank Franklin II/AP
Sid Lowe’s report from the MetLife Stadium
The attendance today was 81,118, the biggest crowd of the tournament but still not a capacity crowd. The MetLife Stadium holds 93,000.
Interestingly, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is on the pitch talking to Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly. You don’t often see opposing owners/president chopping it up.
A moment for Robert Sánchez, by the way. What a performance from the Chelsea goalkeeper.
I think you have to give Marezca a huge amount of credit. Yes, PSG were poor today, but tactically they were completely outplayed by Chelsea. The Blues obviously targeted the space behind Nuno Mendes at that worked a treat. Cole Palmer found pockets of space all over the pitch – that is not an accident. It was a risk to bring Reece James into midfield but the Chelsea captain was excellent. When Chelsea sat back and aimed to protect their 3-0 lead, they were able to keep a clean sheet. Everything Maresca tried came off. Fair play.
So Chelsea will take a full three weeks off, before just two friendlies (Bayer Leverkusen on 8 August and Milan on 10 August) prior to the beginning of the Premier League season on 17 August (home to Crystal Palace).
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea manager and wearing a shirt with WORLD CHAMPIONS written on it, speaks:
The players deserve it. We set the tempo. Unfortunately with the weather we were not able to continue.
I’m very excited that we have won here, but more excited that we now get three weeks off!
Cole Palmer, the player of the match, speaks:
It’s a great feeling, even better because everyone doubted us before the game. PSG are a great team. I like finals.
The gaffer put a great game-plan out. He knew where the space is going to be. [Maresca] is building something special, something important.
Do Chelsea get a break of any sort before the new season? All Premier League clubs are already in pre-season training for 2025-26.
“I’ve been a Chelsea fan since 1970, and I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a game more, not even Munich 2012,” emails Gary Stover. “I take back all the things I’ve said about Robert Sanchez, Enzo Maresca, and Malo Gusto. Who knew? Nobody.”
Well, then. PSG are not used to losing and they have completely lost their head here – with João Neves sent off for pulling Cucurella’s hair during the match and manager Luis Enrique raising his hands towards João Pedro after the final whistle.
Handbags at the full-time whistle!
Players from both sides clash! The PSG squad are furious and Luis Enrique looks enraged as he appears to raise his hands to João Pedro’s face! The Brazilian hits the deck and the PSG manager is quietly escorted away. Remarkable scenes! Donnarumma is also at the heart of it and the Italian has to be led away by compatriot Enzo Maresca, who is trying in vain to calm the situation.
Joao Pedro is clocked by Luis Enrique at the final whistle. All very unedifying. Photograph: Pamela Smith/AP
Full-time: Chelsea 3-0 PSG
Chelsea have easily beaten the Champions League winners! Chelsea are the Club World Cup champions!
90+4 min: Sanchez comes out of his goal to clear a loose ball and so nearly gifts possession to Goncalo Ramos! The Chelsea keeper has had an exceptional game – he might even be player of the match if Palmer hadn’t scored twice and registered an assist – but that was nearly a familiar error.
90+2 min: The Chelsea fans are singing ‘olé’ as they cheer every pass. PSG are cooked.
90 min: Five minutes added on. Remember that is also accommodate the cooling break we had for the players at 70 minutes.
89 min: Despite being depleted, PSG continue to pour forward and Goncalo Ramos has a wonderful chance to get one back for the French side but fluffs his lines at the back post. It was a glorious cross from Barcola, but Goncalo Ramos skewed his finish and Cucurella was about to clear the loose ball!
87 min: PSG manager Luis Enrique looks resigned on the sidelines. This is a disappointing end to what has been a sensational season.
RED CARD FOR PSG’S NEVES!
The referee really has no choice. It’s violent conduct and Neves has no complaints as he jogs off the pitch. He completely lost his head, and with 10 men, surely PSG have now lost this final!
Paris St Germain’s Joao Neves is shown a red card. Photograph: Lee Smith/Reuters
POTENTIAL RED CARD!
An off-the-ball incident, as Neves clashes with Cucurella. There was some bad blood between the pair after that earlier foul and replays show that Neves deliberately pulled the hair of the Spaniard! The referee is going across to check the monitor, but this is surely going to be a sending off!
Joao Neves tugs on Cucurella’s mane. Red card incoming… Photograph: Seth Wenig/AP
83 min: Yellow card for Colwill, who is given the slip by Zaire-Emery in midfield. There is a brief scuffle as Caicedo tries to intervene in the aftermath, but the referee breaks it up.
81 min: Sanchez, who is having the game of his life, collects a cross and with another expert Ederson-esque punt upfield, releases Delap. The English striker outmuscles Marquinhos, putting the Brazilian on the turf and is one on one with Donnarumma. Delap tries to round the keeper, but Donnarumma gets a toe on a low shot, and PSG escape conceding a fourth!
79 min: Dembele is dropping VERY deep, as he tries to have some effect on the game. The Frenchman has been almost anonymous so far.
77 min: The game has become a scrappy one, which is exactly how Chelsea will want it. The Blues make a double change, with Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on for Reece James and Pedro Neto.
Whenever Samsung launches a new device, they open up the pre-order deals and we talk about how you can save $1,200 off the shiny new thing. That massive discount always comes courtesy of a trade-in of a newer phone, like the most recent Galaxy S Ultra or the previous generation Fold. But what if you are a normal person who doesn’t upgrade each year? This is actually the best time to upgrade, especially if you have an aging phone.
EASY $400 OR $500 OFF GALAXY Z FOLD 7: There are really great values to be had on older phones through Samsung’s trade-in program. In fact, I’d bet you’ll get more money for your older Samsung phone than you would expect. For example, a Galaxy S22 Ultra, which is 3.5 years old, is still worth $500 as an instant trade discount. Even the Galaxy S22+ is worth the same $500 discount. Better yet, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, a 5-year old phone in a series that Samsung no longer makes, is worth $600. The Galaxy S21 Ultra is also worth $400.
And remember, these trade-in values are same-day instant discounts that come off the price you pay today. If you have a Galaxy Note 20 Ultra to trade-in, you tell Samsung that and then slice $600 off immediately from the $2,000 starting price. This isn’t a trade-in system that gives you a credit down the road – they give you the discount today.
If upgrading to this ridiculously thin Galaxy Z Fold 7 is tempting you, hit this link to check your phone’s value.
$150 FREE STORAGE UPGRADE: With your Fold 7 pre-order, let’s also not forget that you get a free storage up grade from 256GB to 512GB ($120 value). You could also take $150 and apply it to the 1TB model.
Pre-orders are still live and shipments are expected to land on July 25.
LONDON: Relatives of flyers who died in the June 12 Air India crash have slammed the preliminary probe as a “cover-up” to protect the Tatas-owned airline, Boeing and the Indian government.“This report is wrong. We don’t accept it,” said Ameen Siddiqui, whose British brother-in-law and Gloucestershire resident Akeel Nanabawa, died alongside his wife Hannaa Vorajee and their daughter Sara in the June 12 crash of the Ahmedabad-London flight.Speaking to the UK’s The Telegraph from Surat, Siddiqui alleged that “they want to blame dead pilots who can’t defend themselves”. Siddiqui added that he had rejected Air India’s compensation offer and would take the airline to court for “killing our family members”.UK law firms are already representing families of dozens of passengers who died in the AI 171 crash and considering legal action against Boeing and Air India.Tushar Joge, whose male cousin’s in-laws, Vallabh Nagji Agheda and wife Vinaben Vallabh Agheda, both in their 70s, died in the crash, echoed the claim that the probe report was a “cover-up” for Air India and Boeing.“We were pre-empting that they would start blaming the pilots. Why are they not looking for a mechanical fault? How qualified are the people in the Indian Air Accident Investigation Bureau? The FAA (US aviation regulator) gave an advisory in 2018 to check the potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature. Shouldn’t they have made this a mandatory requirement rather than an advisory?” Joge asked.The Agheda couple were coming to the UK to spend time with their youngest daughter and her family in Reading. Speaking to TOI from Vadodara, their son-in-law said: “It does not look like it’s the pilot’s fault. It could be Boeing’s design fault with the switches, or it could be Air India’s maintenance issues. Most of the families believe it’s a problem withthe aircraft. Air India is helping us with compensation but we are more concerned about getting the right report. We want the truth to make sure another disaster doesn’t happen.”Imtiyaz Ali Syed, whose London-based brother Javed died with his wife and two children lamented that the probe report was replete with “aviation jargon praising Boeing’s systems” while saying “nothing conclusive”. “Everyone, Air India, Boeing, government, has something to protect. But we have lost our entire families. How can we move on without the truth?” Imtiyaz asked.Sameer Rafik, cousin of crash victim Faizan Rafik from Leicester, told the BBC he did not trust the Indian government. “Until the airline provides the cockpit recording to us, I’m not going to believe the report,” Rafik said.
Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population on Sunday dismissed recent reports alleging the simultaneous deaths of four siblings from meningitis, describing the claims as “unfounded and scientifically unsupported.”
In an official statement, the ministry explained that meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, which can result from infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites—or from non-infectious factors such as tumors, certain medications, surgeries, or trauma.
The ministry stressed that Egypt has successfully controlled the infectious bacterial type of meningitis since 1989, reducing infection rates to just 0.02 cases per 100,000 people. It confirmed that no outbreaks of bacterial strains A or C have been reported among school students since 2016, attributing this progress to comprehensive vaccination campaigns and continuous disease surveillance.
Egypt’s surveillance system includes routine daily reporting from healthcare facilities, alongside advanced monitoring at 12 fever hospitals where cerebrospinal fluid samples are tested using WHO-accredited PCR techniques. The ministry also noted that immediate care is provided for suspected cases, including diagnosis, treatment, and preventive antibiotics for close contacts.
To support these efforts, Egypt distributes around 6.5 million doses of the A&C meningitis vaccine annually to first-year students across all educational stages, in addition to 600,000 doses of the quadrivalent vaccine for travelers heading to high-risk regions. The national immunization schedule also covers vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae and tuberculosis-related meningitis.
Refuting the viral rumor, the ministry emphasized that there is “no medical basis” for claims that four siblings could die simultaneously from a contagious disease like meningitis. It described such an event as highly implausible, highlighting that immune responses differ from person to person and that other potential causes—such as chemical exposure or food poisoning—must be thoroughly investigated before drawing conclusions.
The ministry concluded by urging the public to rely on official health statements and refrain from circulating unverified medical information that could lead to unnecessary public concern or panic.
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Velan Inc (VLNSF) reported an 18.6% year-over-year increase in sales, reaching $72.2 million, driven by higher shipments from Italian operations and increased business volumes in China, India, and Germany.
The company achieved a gross profit margin increase of 100 basis points to 28.6%, reflecting a favorable product mix and lower material costs.
Velan Inc (VLNSF) has a strong cash position, exceeding $59 million, the highest level in five years, providing a financial cushion for strategic growth and shareholder returns.
The board approved a significant increase in the quarterly dividend from 3 Canadian cents to 10 Canadian cents per share, indicating confidence in future financial performance.
The order backlog grew by 4.1% to $286.1 million, with a high margin profile benefiting from large long-term contracts in the nuclear and defense sectors.
Bookings declined to $78.2 million from $83 million a year ago, attributed to lower year-over-year bookings in Germany and North America.
The company recorded restructuring expenses of $5.4 million, including $6.1 million in transaction-related costs.
Cash flow from operating activities was negative, with $15.5 million used in the first quarter, primarily due to unfavorable changes in non-working capital items.
North American sales remained relatively stable, with lower shipments to the defense industry offset by stronger MRO activity.
The regional revenue split shifted away from Europe following the sale of French assets, potentially impacting future sales distribution.
Q: Is the recent uptick in MRO activity mostly in North America, or is it expected to grow in other regions as well? A: (Jim Moaback, CEO) Most of the MRO activity increase was in North America during the quarter. However, we are starting to see growth in Europe and the Middle East, partly due to our joint venture in Saudi Arabia, which is helping secure more work in that region.
Q: Customer deposits seem to fluctuate more than bookings. Is this due to the sales mix or industry-specific factors? A: (Rishi Sharma, CFO) The fluctuations are more industry-specific. Long-term contracts in nuclear and defense sectors typically have more substantial advances compared to standard projects or MRO activities.
Q: Could the slower bookings in North America be attributed to recent turmoil such as tariffs or the trade war? A: (Jim Moaback, CEO) Yes, the ongoing tariff situation in the U.S. is affecting customer decisions, causing some delays in projects and MRO activities. However, there is also a shift towards sourcing products from North America instead of China due to tariff concerns.
Q: Is the special committee, which was involved in the French asset sale, still active? A: (Jim Moaback, CEO) The special committee, composed of independent directors, is still operational. Their role is to evaluate strategic options for the company and advise the board, ensuring the best outcomes for stakeholders.
Q: How does being a preferred supplier for GH SMR BWRX 300 projects work, especially with local supplier preferences in places like the UK? A: (Jim Moaback, CEO) While we are a preferred supplier, each contract is subject to bidding and qualification. Our proprietary technology gives us an advantage, but we still need to compete for each project. We maintain relationships with major global suppliers, including Rolls-Royce, to hedge our bets in the nuclear sector.
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
The second round of negotiations between the Punjab government and the opposition over the reinstatement of 26 suspended members of the provincial assembly concluded on Sunday without any resolution, though both sides agreed to continue dialogue in the coming days.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the government and opposition failed to reach a consensus regarding the suspension of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers, whose membership remains inactive following a heated session last month.
The lawmakers were suspended by Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan after opposition benches disrupted Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s speech on June 27. The session descended into chaos as treasury and opposition members engaged in a physical altercation, despite repeated appeals by the Speaker to restore order.
Read More: Punjab speaker forms committee to address suspended PTI members’ references
The ongoing impasse follows an earlier consultative meeting between the Speaker and the suspended MPAs, during which disqualification references filed against the members were also discussed.
To resolve the standoff, Speaker Khan formed an eight-member negotiation committee, comprising Chief Whip Rana Arshad, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Khawaja Salman Rafique, Samiullah Khan, and Ahmad Iqbal. Additional representation was included from allied parties: Ali Haider Gillani (PPP), Chaudhry Shafay Hussain (PML-Q), and Shoaib Siddiqui (IPP).
Despite no significant progress in the second round of talks, both sides signaled readiness to engage further.
Leader of the Opposition Malik Ahmad Khan Bachhar said discussions were ongoing and that more meetings were scheduled. “This was our second meeting, and there was agreement on continuing the talks. Consultations are underway regarding the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure,” he told reporters.
Bachhar emphasized the need for party-level consultation, noting that such complex issues could not be resolved in a single sitting. “We are two distinct political entities. The Speaker has urged adherence to the rules, and once consensus is reached, it will be communicated to all stakeholders,” he added.
Also Read: Suspended MPAs split over protest limitation
Speaking to the media after the meeting, government representatives described the atmosphere as constructive. Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman stated that the sanctity of the Assembly was paramount and that the opposition had acknowledged the importance of preserving its dignity. “One or two more meetings may be required, but we are hopeful of a dignified resolution,” he said.
He clarified that the government was not seeking to de-seat the suspended lawmakers but was merely asking for observance of Assembly decorum. “They are elected representatives. Our objective is not punitive but to ensure the House functions within its prescribed rules,” Shuja-ur-Rehman added.
