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Speaker, Saad Rafique face criticism as PTI continues protest in NA

By Web Desk
December 15, 2016

ISLAMABAD:  The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday continued protest against the government for the second consecutive day after it returned to the National Assembly to raise the issue of Panama Papers scandal.

Senior politician and senior leader of the PTI Shah Mehmood Qureshi took federal minister Khawaja Saad Rafique to task for calling lawmakers of his party hooligans.

Qureshi also criticized the National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq for what he said not protecting the rights of opposition.

He demanded prime minister attend the session to explain what he had earlier said in the house about the allegations regarding Panama Papers.

Qureshi said he was expecting that the Speaker would give the PTI members an opportunity to present their viewpoint on the privilege motion.

“Had we were given opportunity to present our viewpoint such an ugly situation would not have emerged yesterday Qureshi said.

Lawmakers from treasury benches disrupted Qureshi’s speech by chanting slogans as the PTI veteran addressed Speaker with his name. However, the speaker asked him to continue his speech.

Responding to Qureshi’s remarks, Saad Rafique said he had not called PTI lawmakers hooligans rather he termed their behavior as hooliganism. The Railways minister said he was taking his words back, requesting the opposition members not to use abusive language against leader of the house.

Ayaz Sadiq assured the opposition that he would get the “hooliganism” expunged from the proceedings if the word was used in the house.

Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq  saidT being custodian of the house he would continue to remain impartial and abide by the law and constitution.

Responding to points raised by Shah Mehmood Qureshi, he clarified that all members of this august house were equal to him.

Ayaz Sadiq said like other elected representatives he was also elected by the people of Pakistan.

“When de seated the I opted to approach the people’s court rather than knocking doors of any court of law and again remained successful,” he said.

The speaker deplored that he was criticized for not accepting resignations tendered by PTI lawmakers during the sit ins.

He appreciated the leader of the opposition for supporting him in that regard besides playing pivotal role for strengthening of democracy in the country.

Ayaz Sadiq said due to giving more time to the opposition benches during budget session he was said to be tilting towards opposition parties.