ISLAMABAD:
Opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq exchanged harsh statements during the budget session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, while JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman called for restraint amid rising tensions in the house.
Speaking on the floor of the house, Achakzai, who also heads the alliance of opposition parties TTAP, criticized the president for responding to his speech the previous day.
“You are the spokesperson and it is not your role to respond to our speeches,” Achakzai said, adding that he would respond to the president’s comments within the limits of parliamentary decorum.
Referring to comments made about one of his speeches, Achakzai said that he had given the speech in Pashto in Chaman and suggested that someone familiar with the language should be tasked with interpreting it.
“I said there is no law or justice available and people should resolve their disputes through local jirgas and panchayats,” he said. Achakzai said his party would support the government if it worked for the welfare of the poor, but would oppose it if it resorted to repression.
“If you serve the poor, we will support you. If you shoot people and imprison them, we will oppose you,” he said. Addressing the broader political situation, the opposition leader called for strengthening constitutionalism and democracy.
“If there really is a Constitution and a democracy in the country, then let us declare those judges who resigned in opposition to the dictatorship national heroes,” he said.
He also proposed that judges who took oaths under Provisional Constitutional Orders (PCO) during the military government should be declared violators of the Constitution.
“Let’s reach an agreement to free this Parliament,” he added.
Achakzai said his criticism was not directed at the military and insisted he wanted to prevent the military from becoming controversial. He commented that if the establishment allowed parliament to function strictly in accordance with the Constitution, he would publicly welcome it.
Expressing disappointment at the speaker’s statements made in the previous session, he warned against further provocations. “I was saddened by your comments yesterday as a speaker. Don’t provoke us, otherwise you will face difficulties,” he said.
Responding to criticism from the opposition leader, President Ayaz Sadiq rejected accusations that he had acted in violation of the Constitution. He said he had left the PTI in 1998 and joined the PML-N on February 1, 2001, when the party was in opposition.
Meanwhile, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman urged both sides to be patient and avoid escalating tensions. “Many emotional statements have been made in the House. This is a moment for tolerance and restraint,” he said.
Addressing the speaker directly, Fazl commented that he too had spoken with emotion during the previous session. “President Sahib, you also made emotional comments yesterday, which you should not have done,” he said.
