Kerfuffle in NA after debate on train attack disallowed

Opposition protests chair's decision; PTI stages walkout

ISLAMABAD:

The National Assembly descended into chaos on Wednesday after the opposition was denied the opportunity to discuss the deadly attack on the Jaffer Express in Balochistan.

The session, presided over by Abdul Qadir Patel, took a contentious turn when Opposition Leader Omar Ayub demanded the suspension of the Question Hour to debate the tragic incident.

Opening the debate on the President's address to the joint sitting of parliament on March 10, he stated, "We are against and condemn those who have taken up arms against the state".

He argued that it would have been more appropriate for the chair to allow a debate on the Balochistan issue by suspending the routine business of the House.

However, Patel declined the request, stating that the matter could be addressed during the debate on the presidential address.

The refusal sparked immediate protests from PTI lawmakers. In a visible display of frustration, Ayub banged the green file containing parliamentary rules and regulations on his desk, while other opposition members joined in by pounding their desks and shouting slogans.

The protest escalated as Ayub and his colleagues staged a walkout, chanting "quorum, quorum" as they left the chamber.

During the opposition's protest and walkout, party member Sher Afzal Marwat was nowhere to be seen. Once the opposition left the chamber, Iqbal Afridi pointed out the lack of quorum, triggering a headcount.

However, the required number of members was present, allowing the session to continue.

At that moment, Sher Afzal Marwat entered the assembly and rejoined the proceedings. Strikingly, he crossed over to the government benches, sitting among treasury members, including Sheikh Aftab, with whom he was seen chatting amicably.

After the prayer break, when the session resumed, Omar Ayub was finally given the floor. His first grievance was that he should have been allowed to speak on the tragedy earlier.

However, during his speech, assembly members remained engaged in casual conversations, prompting him to point out the irony: "This is a discussion about Balochistan, yet Balochistan's own members are not paying attention. This is unfortunate".

He said he expected undivided attention from the house while he spoke, but in contrast, Sher Afzal Marwat was fast asleep, only stirring when his name was mentioned—eliciting chuckles across the hall.

Ayub continued his speech for one hour and twenty-three minutes, touching on the Balochistan tragedy and other issues. The National Assembly session was then adjourned until Thursday (today) at 11:30 am.