ISLAMABAD: (APP) National Assembly on Monday once again witnessed a short lived rumpus with an effort by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to play up the Panama papers issue and disrupt smooth proceedings of the lower house.
The party backed out, as usual, from its commitment made during a meeting at Speaker's chamber that members from both the side of the isle shall speak on this issue. But, the situation turned to be foul as the PTI members started chanting slogans when a member from treasury benches Daniyal Aziz was given mike to speak.
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They stood at their seats and started chanting slogans against the PML-N leadership on which Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq reminded them of their commitment made in presence of the members from PPPP, MQM and PML-N at Speaker's chamber.
The Speaker reminded PTI Parliamentary Leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi about his commitment that members from treasury benches would also respond to speeches of Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed and Shah Mahmood Qureshi. "You have backed out from commitment. This is not fair," the Speaker commented during the proceedings.
Then the Speaker also drew attention of Opposition leader Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah towards the decision who in response said, if it had already been decided, the House must be run according to the decision.
Seeing the situation, Shah Mahmood Qureshi acknowledged the words of the Speaker and said, the slogans by his party were not meant to disrupt the proceedings because it would do no good to the House. Qureshi kept silence earlier when his party members were creating fuss in the house but realized sooner and said, "I request my members to give treasury benches an opportunity to speak."
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Meanwhile, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique objected the slogans and some words asserted by PTI members and reminded them about similar words on which their party had demanded apology from him. "I had drawn back those words just to keep the house atmosphere smooth. But, if you will use objectionable language against our leaders, then you will compel us to respond in the same manner."
What the House once again witnessed on Monday was vocal assertions by Dr Shereen Mazari who used to shout again and again despite the Speaker's requests to behave and abide by the rules.
Daniyal Aziz'z speech was an eye opener for the House and irksome for the PTI members who once again created fuss in the House and even did not show respect for Leader of the Opposition Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah denying him to speak when the Speaker had given him mike.
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However, on insistence of the PPP members that if PTI would not let Khursheed Shah speak, they may also resist speeches of their leaders. On this the PTI lawmakers finally cooled down and started listening to Syed Khursheed Shah.
The House remained calm during opposition leader's speech as the Speaker adjourned the House to meet again on Tuesday afternoon on conclusion of Khursheed Shah's speech.