NA proceedings marred by PTI protest, lack of quorum

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly (NA) proceedings during the Question-Hour on Thursday were marred by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) backed opposition’s protest and a lack of quorum.

NA Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah suspended the proceedings for 15 minutes, as the house was not found in order due to a lack of quorum. PTI legislator Iqbal Afridi pointed out the quorum first during the Question-Hour, and then again after the Question-Hour.

After 15-minute break, PPP legislator Ali Musa Gilani, on a point of order, criticised the “Uraan Pakistan” initiative of the government in the context of the issue relating to rice exporters. On the fourth day of winter session of the National Assembly, the PTI continued their voice protest by raising slogans of “Oooo Oooo”, demanding ‘release of Imran Khan’.

PTI legislator Iqbal Afridi pointed out the quorum and soon after that the party MNAs walked out of the house. When a count was made, the house was found without quorum, and the NA deputy speaker suspended the proceedings for 15 minutes. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the PTI founder chairman, his wife and Farah Gogi were involved in a £190 million corruption case. He said the PTI leaders should answer only one question: why the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the UK had returned £190 million to Pakistan if it was not the public money. He said the NCA had returned the money to the government of Pakistan, but the then cabinet handed it over to the person in a sealed envelope from whom the money was taken. Tarar said Rs80 billion amount was deposited in the Supreme Court in exchange for another fine.

While responding to calling attention notice, Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Zulfiqar Bhatti assured exporters that the government was prepared to resolve their complaints and facilitate them in expanding rice exports.