MNAs bicker over ‘treatment of lawmakers

islamabad — Parliament witnessed a particularly chaotic session on Friday after opposition parties raised questions about the scuffle between the Awami Muslim League’s Shaikh Rashid and PMLN leader Noor Awan a day before, reports Dawn online.

Taking note of Thursday’s scuffle between Rashid and Awan, PPP stalwart and Leader of the Opposition Khursheed Shah said the “protectors of the House” should not turn into “butchers”.

“Did you (just) call the chair a butcher?” demanded National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

“I said this word is common these days,” Shah responded. z“(His) pass was issued by the Deputy Speaker. It must be inquired who he entered with,” Shah said, stressing that the sanctity of members of Parliament should be the first priority.

Sadiq in response demanded a detailed report of the incident and a clarification from the Deputy Speaker. However, that was not enough to stop Shah from criticising government policies.

Khursheed Shah also brought with him Noor Awan’s pictures with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, which he promptly displayed to the lawmakers, prompting the opposition to start sloganeering against the government.

“He also has a picture with Nehal Hashmi, who said those investigating the prime minister and his family will be taken to tast,” Shah said. “Some people also have pictures with Ziaul Haq,” commented Khursheed Shah.

The statement triggered an outburst from MNA Abid Sher Ali, who continued criticising the opposition even though he was told by the Speaker to remain silent.

“When you (Abid Sher Ali) were mistreated in Pervez Musharraf ’s era, we stood by you,” retaliated Shah. “We stood by you when your father was mistreated as well.”

“They (PPP) kept us in Sahiwal jail over a Kalashnikov case,” Ali retorted. “What democracy are they (PPP) talking about?”

“I know why your father went to jail,” Aijaz Jakhrani of PPP hit back.