QUETTA: The opposition in the Balochistan Assembly has pledged to continue their walkout from the house till the resignation of lawmakers who remained ministers in Dr Malik-led cabinet over a corruption scam involving now suspended finance secretary Mushtaq Raisani, and threatened to observe protest also during the coming budget session.

This was announced during Saturday’s session of the house whose proceedings were marred by uproar as treasury and opposition members levelled corruption charges against each other and indulged in an ugly exchange of arguments.

Speaker Raheela Durrani expunged many remarks of members of both sides from the record declaring them un-parliamentary.

As soon as the session began, opposition members began to beat desks and launched a verbal attack on the corrupt. Treasury benches responded and it led to hurling allegations and counter-allegations from both sides.

As Deputy Leader of Opposition Zamarak Khan Achakzai was at the forefront of the verbal brawl, his mike was turned off by the speaker. But that did not deter an angry Mr Achakzai from continuing to speak at the top of his voice.

After the opposition members staged a walkout, the remaining members of the assembly unanimously adopted a resolution about the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution.

Dr Abdul Malik Baloch rose to defend his colleagues and accused the opposition of continuously making false statements.

The former chief minister said that (before coming to power), he had never made any claim that when he/his National Party assumed power, no bullets would be fired in Balochistan or corruption would be eradicated.

Over the corruption scandal involving Raisani, he said, his party’s leadership had asked Khalid Langove, adviser to the chief minister on finance, to resign and he had done so.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2016