Opposition stages walkout from NA over police action against OGDCL workers

E-Paper | April 30, 2026

ISLAMABAD: In yet another show of defiance, members of the opposition on Friday staged a walkout from the National Assembly to register their protest against Wednesday's brutal police action against workers of the Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDCL), DawnNews reported.

Opposition members — including those from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Awami National Party (ANP) and Jamaat-i-Islaami (JI) — staged the walkout today.

On Wednesday, clashes between police and protesting OGDCL employees had left dozens from both sides injured.

The workers were trying to reach the Parliament House to record their protest against the privatisation of the company which resulted in a clash. Police had succeeded in arresting 25 employees.

Take a look: Anti-privatisation protest: Scores injured as police, OGDCL workers clash

Speaking to media representatives, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Shazia Marri said Friday that OGDCL employees had been subjected to brutal torture which was a condemnable incident.

"If the government continues to exhibit such an attitude, then those sitting in the Parliament will also take to the roads," she said in a fiery tone.

She claimed that Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had a problem with demonstrations staged by the opposition, adding that the minister had termed the protests as nothing more than mere drama.

Explore: Opposition turnabout tars govt in NA

Inquiry officer appointed to probe use of batons

Additional Deputy Commissioner General (ADCG) Maryam Mumtaz has been appointed judicial inquiry officer to probe the alleged use of batons against workers of the OGDCL by police in Islamabad,

Mumtaz will complete the inquiry within a span of seven days' time and then submit a report on the matter.

Soon after a notification was issued regarding his appointment, Mumtaz summoned SP Rizwan Gondal, AC Waqas Rasheed and AC Kamran Cheema.

Nisar had issued an order for the appointment of an inquiry officer.

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saad saeed

Oct 31, 2014 12:26pm

Is it the same PPP which was supporting this same government by harping on "Parliament's supremacy" and its being the most appropriate forum for resolving issues? Now they themselves are staging walkouts and dharnas outside parliament. They shouldn't do this because democracy might get derailed

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saad saeed

Oct 31, 2014 12:26pm

It is also part of the script

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Phoenix

Oct 31, 2014 12:54pm

privatisation is the need of time, but lazzy workers with inherited atonic habit, start protesting when it comes to their skins. What if they have such dedicated vigilance in work ???

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Babay

Oct 31, 2014 01:40pm

Let the opposition protest PM NS and Company will continue to perform in the interest of the democracy and to strengthen the corrupt system of governance .

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Talha

Oct 31, 2014 02:33pm

But the OGDCL workers asking for their rights were and are a threat to democracy. Why is Aitizaz Ahsan and his party now supporting such threats to democracy? Because as far as I understand PPP and the opposition parties believe that anyone asking for their rights is a threat to democracy.

Recommend 0

Haider Rehman

Oct 31, 2014 02:33pm

What about 15 families crushed in Model Town?

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Babay

Oct 31, 2014 02:43pm

Parliamentarian on active job for which they won the rigid elections.

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A Ali

Oct 31, 2014 03:13pm

so, champs of democracy saved this very government for the sake of saving democracy and now those aides are staging walk out from the NA, a clear vindication of PTI sit ins. how long they will keep PTI away for looking in other direction. PPP/JI are compulsive bound to join hands with PTI sooner. PML has again showed their true colors by baton charging the protesters and Ch Nissar is calling it a drama.......... despise them.

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Dr. Usman Ali Ashraf Ghillan

Oct 31, 2014 03:55pm

O bhai OGDCL is the company which is in profit....pta hy nhi aur baten

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Junaid

Oct 31, 2014 07:01pm

rule of thumb is that one must not privatize if the business institution is profitable. There is no need for that. Think about it this way, if you have a very profitable business regardless of the economic anomalies , would you sell it?

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Truth will Always Prevail

Nov 01, 2014 03:52am

wao now the Jumuriat khatray mein nahe hai kia? Nation need to wake up and think why do they follow corrupt parties like PPP and PMLN

Recommend 0

Nov 01, 2014 08:37am

"If the government continues to exhibit such an attitude, then those sitting in the Parliament will also take to the roads," she said in a fiery tone. That is what PTI did and PPP kept saying anti democratic action who are people fooling

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