Opposition MPs tear up pro-PM resolution in Kashmir Assembly

Speaker suspends membership of six members, including ex-PM; treasury alleges opposition committed blasphemy; opposition says they tore up resolution in favour of Nawaz

MUZAFFARABAD: Pandemonium was witnessed between the treasury and opposition members of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly when the opposition members tore up copies of agenda carrying a resolution in favour of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and walked out shouting ‘go Nawaz go’.

Treasury members equated with blasphemy the tearing up of agenda, saying that it carried a resolution for finality of the Holy Prophet (SAW). However, the opposition members are of the view that they tore up a resolution in favour of Nawaz on on PanamaLeaks issue.

The speaker suspended the membership of six parliamentarians and formed a seven-member committee headed by his deputy to probe the matter. The opposition reacted strongly to the arrest of PTI workers and police torture on them that led to tension. Former prime minister Ch Majid, opposition leader Ch Yasin, Amir Ghafar, Sajid Khan, PTI’s Devan Muhiuddin and Muslim Conference’s Sagheer Chughtai tore up copies of agenda before throwing them up in the air.

Upon this, Prime Minister Farooq Haider alleged that the opposition members had committed blasphemy since the agenda carried a resolution for finality of the Prophet (SAW). He demanded a blasphemy case be lodged against the opposition members.

Upon orders of the speaker, torn copies of the agenda were preserved in envelops and he formed a committee to probe the matter. The session has been put off till today (Wednesday). Senior Minister Ch Tariq Farooq told a press conference later that the opposition wanted to stage a walkout from the session which was called to discuss the atrocities committed on people in Indian Held Kashmir (IHK).

He said a resolution for finality of the Prophet (SAW) was also part of the agenda copies of which were torn and thrown down on the floor which is an act of blasphemy, deliberate or otherwise. He said membership of the opposition leaders involved in it had been suspended till submission of inquiry report on this matter.

He said all torn pieces had been sealed and put in custody and the inquiry committee would also listen to the point of the opposition members in question. He said the committee would submit its report in the light of the law and constitution. He said the opposition members could be disqualified if allegations were proved against them.

He said the incident brought tears to the lawmakers. He said it was unprecedented in history and the House had taken note of this incident. He said this incident was a cause of shame for all. He said no political point scoring should be done on this matter.