ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly on Wednesday witnessed heated exchanges between members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) during the ongoing budget session, with repeated use of non-parliamentary language which was later removed by the president.
The House, chaired by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, saw fierce verbal clashes as opposition and government lawmakers clashed over various political and budgetary issues, at times taking proceedings to the brink of disarray.
Former President Asad Qaiser, speaking by way of personal explanation, launched a strong attack on Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, demanding his resignation and raising questions over political negotiations and alleged electoral conduct.
He claimed that negotiations with intelligence agents had taken place at his residence and even at the President’s House during discussions on legislation related to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). However, he wondered why, in his opinion, the defense minister’s conscience was not troubled by the “theft of mandates”, including that of PTI leader Rehana Dar.
Asad Qaiser also addressed the February 8, 2024 elections, alleging electoral irregularities, and challenged Khawaja Asif to resign and contest against Rehana Dar if he had doubts about the mandate.
During the session, National Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain said the government had introduced several schemes for farmers in the budget. He added that the tax system was being linked with a faceless mechanism to ensure that no taxpayer could be blackmailed.
The camera also witnessed a tense exchange during Rana Tanveer Hussain’s speech, when PTI legislator Aatif Khan raised objections, triggering a war of words between treasury members and opposition benches.
The situation escalated to the point where members of both sides approached each other, but their colleagues intervened to prevent the confrontation from escalating. Later, PTI president Barrister Gohar criticized the budget and demanded withdrawal of an “unconstitutional” anonymous system.
In another incident, during PML-N MNA Azhar Qayyum Nahra’s speech, criticism of PTI founder Imran Khan sparked protests from opposition member Shafqat Awan, who responded with unparliamentary language.
The comments were reciprocated, prompting female MPs to stage a protest over the use of inappropriate language in the chamber. The situation finally calmed down with the intervention of State Minister Talal Chaudhry and other members.
The budget debate also saw exchanges between members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). PPP MNA Naz Baloch, without naming the MQM-P, raised specific issues related to the Baldia Town tragedy, extortion activities and “porcelain cutting” in parks.
Responding, MQM-P leader Khawaja Izharul Hassan said those involved in large-scale corruption had been allowed to remain in politics, adding that complaints about the deprivation of Sindh were evidence of the failure of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, and called for its repeal.
PPP member Shazia Marri urged that no obstacles be created in the formation of a PPP-led government in Gilgit-Baltistan and demanded that Islamabad International Airport be renamed Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.
Amid the heated exchanges, Vice President Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, who was presiding over the session at one point, warned members that he would be forced to suspend the proceedings if discipline was not maintained in the House.
The session had notably low attendance after the break for the Maghrib prayer, with only 19 members present in the chamber, as debate on the budget continued. The session was later adjourned until 11 a.m. on Thursday.
