Lawmakers come to blows

This was the second scuffle between the members of PML-N and PTI


Our Correspondent March 10, 2017
Fellow MPs try to stop PTI’s Murad Saeed during a scuffle with PML-N’s Javed Latif. PHOTO: INP

ISLAMABAD: A heated argument between the members of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) during a session of the National Assembly led to a brawl outside the lower house, on Thursday.

According to details, PML-N’s Javed Latif slapped PTI’s Murad Saeed after house proceedings. In reply, Saeed punched him in the face. Earlier on the floor, Latif termed PTI chief Imran Khan a traitor and insane.

The conflict emerged during a session of the assembly as Saeed sought permission to speak on Pakhtun’s racial profiling in Punjab, but the deputy speaker asked him to shorten his remarks upon which the PTI MNA argued with him.

PML-N, PTI brawl during NA session over Imran's 'phateechar' comment

On the floor of the house, Latif remarked that PTI leaders, including its chairman, have no ethical training and don’t know how to speak. He termed Khan a ‘traitor’.

He was of the view that Pakhtuns are known for their hospitality worldwide, but Imran termed foreign players who came to Pakistan to play the Pakistan Super League final as ‘Phateechar’. He said PTI chief urges people to opt for civil obedience but then provokes them to evade taxes.

“When Shaikh Mujeeb or MQM conveyed the same then they were labelled as traitors. If they are traitors then he (Imran) is also a traitor,” said Latif.

These unethical comments did not go unanswered as when Latif and Saeed came face to face in the corridors of the NA building, a brawl broke out.

After the incident, Saeed stated that the PML-N member called the PTI leader a traitor which is totally intolerable. “Latif abused my leader which is not acceptable,” he said.

PTI leaders believe in politics of aggression, says PM’s aide

Addressing a press conference following the scuffle, PML-N’s Talal Chaudhary said PTI was not conducting politics in a respectable manner. PTI members ‘attack’ the assembly on the floor of the parliament and from ‘outside’ as well.

This was the second scuffle between the members of PML-N and PTI as the first took place on January 26 on the floor of the house.

Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has constituted a six-member Parliamentary Committee under the convenership of MNA Ghous Bux Mehar to probe the unpleasant incident of scuffle between Saeed and Latif at the outer gate of the parliament. The committee will submit its report by March 16, 2017 to Sadiq.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10th, 2017.

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