NA witnesses physical showdown, exchange of harsh words

ISLAMABAD: Tension ran high during proceedings of the National Assembly which witnessed physical showdown, exchange of harsh words between members from sides of benches, while the opposition members also scuffled with the security staff, who were ordered by the Chair to intervene.

All that happened during speech of the finance minister and the sergeant-at-arms had to be called, but that too did not work as the angary opposition members also shouted at the security staff as well.

Amid sloganeering from both sides, PTI MNA Iqbal Afridi and Federal Minister Hanif Abbasi were also briefly involved in physical brawl. Nisar Jatt of the PTI and Agha Rafiullah of the PPP also scuffled with each other.

The sergeant-at-arms and deputy sergeant-at-arms attempted to separate the two members. But allegedly they were abused and pushed by some opposition members.

The members from both sides also started pushing each other in front of the speaker’s dias as Ayaz Sadiq called for peace in the House.

The ugly situation forced the NA speaker to suspend the proceedings for 15 minutes. Tension in the House started when opposition members continued to interrupt speech of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto over his remarks against jailed PTI founder Imran Khan.

Later, the PPP lawmakers also opposed speaker’s decision to give floor to leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub. Syed Rafiullah stood in front of speaker’s dias saying that he would not allow him to speak.

Initially, the sources said the speaker, who later mediated between two sides, decided to act against four opposition lawmakers, but later the government and opposition members reached reconciliation in a two-hour-long meeting at the speaker’s chamber.

On returning to the House, Nisar Jatt of the PTI, while taking the floor, said he apologised for harsh remarks and any attitude on his behalf and from any member of his party. “I feel sanctity of the House was violated and what was witnessed should not have happened,” he said.

Syed Rafiullah of PPP thanked the PTI members for their remarks, saying that his party leadership had rendered sacrifices for the country and democracy. Iqbal Khan Afridi of the PTI also regretted his remarks and action saying that what happened in the House should have been avoided.

The NA speaker termed the government and opposition benches as two wheels of the parliament’s cart. He said that the security staff of the National Assembly and other officers of Assembly sitting in front of him were not staff of the speaker or the government. “They are staff of all the members whether they belong to the government or the opposition; therefore, it is your responsibility to protect them,” he said.

Ayaz Sadiq pointed out that he always instructed the security staff to intervene whenever there was chance of any physical brawl. “They cannot speak before any member and they are accountable to all. This is responsibility of all of you to protect them,” he added.

He said “the government and the opposition are two wheels of the National Assembly which is answerable to people of the country. It is right of everyone to protest but there should be respect for each other,” he added.

He thanked both sides for feeling sanctity of the House and reaching a reconciliation. “I hope that what happened today in the House will not be repeated again and all members will work for betterment of the Parliament,” he said.