Mind your language: Assembly passes ‘censure motion’ against opposition

Lawmakers refuse to apologise for remarks against Speaker Durrani

KARACHI: Two days after opposition parties created a ruckus in the Sindh Assembly, the House passed on Tuesday a 'censure motion' against the opposition members for their objectionable remarks, behavior and use of non-parliamentary language against Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani.

The motion was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party MPA Ghanwer Ali Khan. "The language used against the speaker in this House is highly objectionable," he said. "Such attitude of opposition members damages the dignity of the chair of the speaker, sanctity of the House and parliamentary practices in democracy," he added

The censure motion came in the wake of two days of protests and sit-ins by opposition parties led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, who were demanding to move a resolution against their attack on their party's MPA, Ramzan Ghanchi.

Referring to the rules of procedure, Isran said, "Leader of the Opposition Firdous Shamim Naqvi and PTI parliamentary leader Haleem Adil Shaikh were at the forefront, inciting hatred. They should tender an apology for their derogatory remarks."



As he finished his brief speech, the opposition members raised their hands to say something on the issue. Speaker Durrani, however, cut them off. "This was an unfortunate incident, which has never happened in the past," he said. “They are using foul language against me inside and outside the Assembly."

The speaker recalled that the Leader of the Opposition had himself rushed to the treasury benches and grabbed the mic from the prisons minister, Nasir Shah, who was responding to MPA's queries about his department.  "During the protest, they not only tore copies of the agenda, but called me a dictator and villain."

When the speaker gave the floor to the Opposition Leader for his response, Naqvi said, "This all happened when you did not allow us to speak and move a resolution to condemn the attack on an MPA of this House." He added that injustice on the speaker's part had forced them to protest in the House. "Justice should not only be done, but it should also be seen to be done."

Addressing the speaker, Naqvi said, "You had asked us to resolve this issue in the chambers, so there is no need for a censure motion."

In response, speaker Durrani asked, "Are you regretting your behavior? Do you intend to tender an apology for your derogatory remarks?"



The Leader of the Opposition refused. "No, we will not tender apology," he said. At this point, PTI's Shaikh also tried to speak, but his mic was switched off.

Mukesh Kumar Chawla, the minister for parliamentary affairs, became emotional. "During the protest, PTI MPAs have also used non-parliamentary language against our female MPA Hina Dastaghir. This attitude cannot be tolerated. Please put the censure motion in the House if they are unwilling to tender an apology."

Arif Mutafa Jatoi of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) in a heated exchange with the speaker, said, "You can not only hold us responsible for such situation. The members sitting on the treasury benches are not angels."

Mohammad Hussain of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) referred to the Senate and National Assembly proceedings. "This happens in parliament. I request the ruling party MPA to withdraw the censure motion."

The speaker again gave the option to the Opposition to apologise, but they refused. Without wasting any more time, he moved the motion in the House which was passed with a majority vote.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2019.