ISLAMABAD: The joint opposition in National Assembly says they cannot have any confidence in Speaker Asad Qaiser’s impartiality or ability to run the House according to parliamentary norms and traditions, unless he initiates immediate action to fix responsibility of the appalling events that unfolded during the speech of the Leader of Opposition Shehbaz Sharif, and takes exemplary action against those found guilty.
In a letter to the Speaker, they wrote They ruled that the decision taken by the speaker on this issue will either restore the dignity of the Parliament and the Speaker or destroy them forever. They expressed hope that Assad Qaiser would have the moral courage to rise to the occasion.
The mentioned that tens of Treasury Bench MNA’s led by several Government Ministers verbally abused and physically attacked the Leader of the Opposition as he was making the opening speech on the Budget 2021-22 on behalf of the Opposition; copies of the budget documents were hurled at the Leader of the Opposition and other members of the Opposition.
They pointed out that the speaker was personally chairing this National Assembly sitting and was witness to the events that took place; in fact, he inexplicably adjourned the sitting and left the chair on three separate occasions. Assad Qaiser was the custodian of the House and was responsible to maintain decorum, and protect the dignity of the members and the house, they added.
The opposition said this was the first occasion in the history of the National Assembly of Pakistan, and possibly parliamentary history worldwide, that Treasury Bench MNA’s and Government Ministers defied the Speaker and physically attacked the Opposition. They accused the speaker of turning a blind eye and remaining silent on the violence and abuse that unfolded before his eyes.
They said the decision of withdrawal of 7 MNA’s from the National Assembly precincts announced in the media this afternoon does not even come close to recognizing the gravity of these events, is in violation of the rules, and is not acceptable.
The letter signed by leaders of all opposition political parties said it was unfortunate that the Leader of the house has been absent and silent over these events; in fact, it is inconceivable that such behavior by the Treasury’ Bench MNA’s and Government Ministers could have taken place without his consent.
