NA session: PML-N, MQM lash out at each other
Altaf Hussain’s statement seeking imposition of martial law in Punjab at the heart of latest verbal altercation.
ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly went through a brief session of chaos on Tuesday, minutes ahead of a premature adjournment after a verbal clash between members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
MQM’s chief Altaf Hussain’s statement seeking imposition of martial law in Punjab is at the heart of the latest clash between the two groups. Temperatures soared after a top leader of the PML-N called for Hussain’s trial under the high treason law, for what he called a mischievous attempt to entice a military mutiny.
Ahsan Iqbal reminded MQM members that under the recently approved 18th constitutional amendment, supporting military intervention in politics is a crime as big as imposing martial law, and Altaf must be punished for that. “This is treason, to the constitution and the country,” Iqbal remarked only to provoke MQM members for a chorus of sloganeering against the PML-N.
Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi had to adjourn the session till Wednesday afternoon after his repeated calls for calms in the house failed.
In a speech delivered from London, Altaf had called for imposing martial law in Punjab to control an alarming rise in crimes. His assertion angered several leaders of the PML-N who chose points of order in the National Assembly to ridicule the statement, calling it an act that could not be justified on legal and moral grounds.
“We have had enough of martial laws … they never bring any good to the country and the people. Nobody should demand such a thing again,” PML-N MNA Tehmina Daultana said in a speech earlier in the day.
Syed Asif Husnain of the MQM defended his leader’s statement, however he did not directly support martial law for Punjab.
Earlier, the house deferred a bill by the PPP seeking extra punishment for those involved in disfiguring women’s faces by throwing acid.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 26th, 2011.
The National Assembly went through a brief session of chaos on Tuesday, minutes ahead of a premature adjournment after a verbal clash between members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
MQM’s chief Altaf Hussain’s statement seeking imposition of martial law in Punjab is at the heart of the latest clash between the two groups. Temperatures soared after a top leader of the PML-N called for Hussain’s trial under the high treason law, for what he called a mischievous attempt to entice a military mutiny.
Ahsan Iqbal reminded MQM members that under the recently approved 18th constitutional amendment, supporting military intervention in politics is a crime as big as imposing martial law, and Altaf must be punished for that. “This is treason, to the constitution and the country,” Iqbal remarked only to provoke MQM members for a chorus of sloganeering against the PML-N.
Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi had to adjourn the session till Wednesday afternoon after his repeated calls for calms in the house failed.
In a speech delivered from London, Altaf had called for imposing martial law in Punjab to control an alarming rise in crimes. His assertion angered several leaders of the PML-N who chose points of order in the National Assembly to ridicule the statement, calling it an act that could not be justified on legal and moral grounds.
“We have had enough of martial laws … they never bring any good to the country and the people. Nobody should demand such a thing again,” PML-N MNA Tehmina Daultana said in a speech earlier in the day.
Syed Asif Husnain of the MQM defended his leader’s statement, however he did not directly support martial law for Punjab.
Earlier, the house deferred a bill by the PPP seeking extra punishment for those involved in disfiguring women’s faces by throwing acid.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 26th, 2011.