Cheema's NA membership reinstated after brief suspension

Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) member Tariq Bashir Cheema's membership in the National Assembly (NA) was reinstated on Friday following a brief suspension earlier in the day for allegedly abusing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Zartaj Gul Wazir.

Cheema's membership was suspended for the ongoing NA session by speaker Ayaz Sadiq after commotion ruled the floor of the lower house a day earlier over inappropriate remarks directed at Gul.

The assembly was later adjourned for an indefinite period which meant the former federal minister's membership stood restored.

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Taking to the floor a day earlier during a debate on the presidential address, Cheema got angry when PTI leader Iqbal Afridi interrupted his speech. This led to heated exchanges between Cheema, Afridi and Gul.

The enraged opposition members tried to go to the government lobby, forcing the speaker to call security to avoid escalation. When the situation became tense, the speaker adjourned the session till Friday (today) morning.

PTI and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) lawmakers subsequently gathered in the speaker’s chamber to register their protest.

Sadiq resolved the issue after hectic rounds of conversations with both sides and was expected to give his ruling today regarding Cheema's suspension.