ISLAMABAD, December 14: A heated session of the National Assembly (NA) kicked off Wednesday as the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) returned to parliament after a boycott of the lower house earlier in October.
Leader of the Opposition in the NA Khursheed Shah, while addressing the ruling PML-N said, “It is irritating when we hear the incoming chief justice is the PML-N’s own man. Perhaps you [PML-N] do not say this, but the people do,” he claimed.
Shah pointed out what he termed ‘contradictions’ in Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s speech in the house regarding his assets. He alleged the PM’s counsel had stated in the Supreme Court during the ongoing Panamagate case that politicians deliver political speeches which should not be mistaken as legal statements.
“If you had come forward and apologised, the public would have forgiven you,” Shah said, apparently addressing the prime minister. “But at least come forward and admit to your wrongdoings,” he said.
During Shah’s speech, NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq interrupted several times and directed the senior PPP leader to avoid speaking of matters that are subjudice.
In response, Shah, to loud applause, claimed that the parliament is superior to the judiciary as the house carries the mandate of 200 million people.
Pandemonium broke out in the NA when the speaker opened the house to PML-N’s Saad Rafique on a point of order.
Both the ruling party and opposition yelled slogans accusing each others’ leaders of corruption.
“The PTI is scheming against democracy. PTI workers are hooligans, that’s all they do in politics… They are only attending the session so they can collect their salaries,” he claimed.
Having failed to win a verdict from the SC against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over the Panamagate issue last week, PTI on Tuesday decided to end its boycott of the NA and return to parliament.
Last week, the SC deferred the hearing of the case till the first week of January.
Despite severe criticism from within and outside the PTI, Imran Khan stuck to his decision and the party also boycotted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s address to a joint session of parliament last month.-Agencies
