Islamabad: Opposition members from the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) continued their vocal protests on Tuesday, demanding judicial investigations into the May 9 and November 26 incidents. The disruptions escalated as PTI members pointed out a lack of quorum, impeding the National Assembly's progress on its scheduled agenda.
Despite the uproar, five bills were introduced during the assembly's brief proceedings, alongside a response from a parliamentary secretary addressing a calling attention notice regarding inadequate funding for essential services, including transportation for special children and utility payments in the Directorate General of Special Education, Islamabad.
Session Interrupted by Quorum Issues
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq suspended proceedings for 15 minutes after PTI MNA Dr. Nisar Ahmed pointed out the lack of quorum following a walkout by opposition members. The house reconvened under Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah, who declared the quorum complete with 100 members present against the required 84. However, instead of continuing with the agenda, the session was adjourned until Wednesday at 2:00 PM.
Limited Agenda Progress Amid Protests
Out of 57 agenda items, the assembly addressed only 11, including the introduction of five bills, all moved by women members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). PTI members, holding placards with slogans such as "Release Imran Khan" and "Constitute Judicial Commissions on May 9 and Nov 26," staged a walkout after 30 minutes of sloganeering and desk-thumping.
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq expressed regret over the quorum disruption, pointing out that PTI had previously agreed not to highlight quorum issues during Question Hour and private members’ day.
Bills Introduced by PPP Members
PPP lawmaker Shazia Marri introduced two bills: the Zakat and Ushr (Amendment) Bill 2025, applicable to Islamabad Capital Territory, and the Capital Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2025, ensuring accessibility for disabled persons to public buildings.
MNA Sharmila Farooqui presented the Islamabad Capital Territory Dowry Restraint Bill 2025, aimed at prohibiting dowry practices, and the Islamabad Animal Protection Bill 2025, advocating for animal welfare.
Sehar Kamran introduced the National Commission on the Rights of Child (Amendment) Bill 2025. All bills were referred to the relevant standing committees without opposition from Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.
Speaker’s Meeting with Opposition
Later, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and treasury members held discussions with opposition members in the Parliament cafeteria. The meeting, attended by Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah, PPP leaders Syed Khurshid Shah and Naveed Qamar, and PTI representatives including Aamir Dogar and Sher Ali Arbab, centered on the selection of the chairman for the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
PTI’s Asad Qaiser emphasized that the party had nominated Sheikh Waqqas Akram for the PAC chairmanship and would not reconsider. The PAC has been inactive since the February 2024 general elections, with the PML-N government favoring Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan for the role, as per the 2006 Charter of Democracy. PTI, however, has firmly stood by its nomination of Sheikh Waqqas Akram for the pivotal position.
The ongoing standoff between the opposition and the treasury benches highlights the deepening political divide, further complicating parliamentary proceedings at a critical juncture for the nation.
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