Pakistan People’s Party leaders on Wednesday expressed strong discontent over the conduct of National Assembly proceedings, accusing the acting president of repeatedly adjourning the session despite a quorum being present.
PPP MNA Aseefa Bhutto Zardari said the repeated postponements made a mockery of the parliamentary system. “It is said that the president was instructed to postpone the session so that my attention notice could not be presented,” he said, calling the move a “petty and low political maneuver.” He issued a statement expressing his deep disappointment in the conduct of the sitting president.
During question hour, MP Nabeel Gabol expressed concern over the Benazir Income Support Program and stated that there was no BISP center in his constituency. “Women faint there due to overcrowding,” he said, alleging that officials accepted Rs 1,500 from each woman in bribes.
Federal Minister Pir Imran Shah responded that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had ordered the program to be transparent, adding that efforts were being made to digitize the entire system by March 2026. “There will be no corruption under our government,” he said.
Opposition member Agha Rafiullah complained that ministers were not present to answer questions. “We are playing the role of the opposition, so encourage us,” he said, noting that federal minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry was present but “busy in his own talks.”
Agha Rafiullah criticized the quality of responses to the questions, saying members worked hard to prepare for the queries but only received “vague answers” while applying for their per diems. He challenged the minister to call the Federal Board of Education’s toll-free number, suggesting that no one would answer.
Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said detailed answers had been provided and suggested Rafiullah call the toll-free number in the lobby himself. The panel’s chairman, Ali Zahid, ordered the two to resolve their differences in the lobby.
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The PTI members interrupted the proceedings by raising banners with images of the party founder and chanting slogans in the house.
Opposition member Iqbal Afridi twice flagged a lack of quorum, prompting recounts that confirmed there were enough members present. However, when Afridi requested a point of order during question hour, the panel chair refused, stating that points of order were not allowed during that segment.
The number of House members was being counted against the quorum, but the government failed to achieve it. “There were 63 members present in the House,” said panel chairman Ali Zahid.
During the panel chairman’s announcement, PPP members created a commotion. The session of the National Assembly was suspended indefinitely.
Speaking to the media, PPP’s Abdul Qadir Patel suggested collusion between the government and the PTI, stating that just when someone pointed out, the PTI again demanded a quorum count. “The attitude of the government today was regrettable. There was a quorum, but we are disappointed with the behavior of the speaker,” he said, adding that only the presence of the PPP ensured the quorum.
PPP MNA Shazia Marri demanded that the government fulfill its commitment regarding the naming of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Airport. “Has the location of the airport changed, or has its name also changed? If the NADRA office building changes, will its name change? If the location of the parliament building changes, will its name also change?” she asked.
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Marri said Benazir Bhutto did not need praise. “These are narrow-minded people who will always be small. What kind of vulgar conspiracy is this, hiding the name of an airport?”
He warned that if the government did not respond, the PPP would decide its future course of action at a meeting. “If you think that the PPP has come to the assembly just to see a show, that is not the case,” he said.
Marri appealed to the prime minister to remember his promise to the first lady, pointing out that some people name themselves during their lifetime, while Benazir Bhutto, “a great leader”, never did.
He criticized the PTI for appearing on “pro-Modi channels” and speaking against Pakistan, adding that even though the courts handed down “the worst verdicts” to his party, including denying a fair trial to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, “we never burnt down any building.”
