NA adjourns indefinitely after heated debate over judicial reforms

Opposition Leader Omar Ayub condemns passage of 'controversial' bills

The National Assembly has been adjourned indefinitely following a contentious session marked by strong remarks from Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, who condemned the passage of bills aimed at expanding the number of judges in the superior judiciary and extending the fixed tenures of the three services chiefs. 

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader criticised the approval of six bills—including the Supreme Court Number of Judges (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Pakistan Army Amendment Bill, 2024—as a “shameful incident.” He labelled the ruling coalition a “government of thieves,” sparking significant uproar within the chamber.

The session’s tensions peaked when the livestream of the proceedings on the National Assembly’s YouTube channel abruptly cut out after Ayub's remarks.

It resumed when independent lawmaker Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, who had previously defied party lines to support the controversial 26th Amendment, began speaking. 

Khichi, addressing the House, insisted on his integrity, stating, “Standing beneath these pure names of Allah, I say that may Allah destroy me if I have taken even a single penny [as a bribe].” He further remarked, “This is true that our party leadership has sold us,” clarifying that he did not receive any bribes.

As Khichi spoke on a point of order, PTI lawmakers began to chant slogans, prompting the deputy speaker to announce the prorogation order signed by President Asif Ali Zardari.

The abrupt end to the session reflects the growing rifts within the assembly as the political landscape continues to evolve amid significant legislative changes.