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Parliament witnessed a particularly chaotic session on Friday after opposition parties raised questions about the scuffle between the Awami Muslim League's Shaikh Rashid and PML-N leader Noor Awan yesterday.
Taking note of yesterday's scuffle between Rashid and Awan, PPP stalwart and Leader of the Opposition Khursheed Shah said the "protectors of the House" should not turn into "butchers".
“Did you [just] call the chair a butcher?” demanded National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.
“I said this word is common these days,” Shah responded.
“[His] pass was issued by the Deputy Speaker. It must be inquired who he entered with,” Shah said, stressing that the sanctity of members of Parliament should be the first priority.
Sadiq in response demanded a detailed report of the incident and a clarification from the Deputy Speaker. However, that was not enough to stop Shah from criticising government policies.
“Democratic governments come into power through the public vote. The Constitution provides guidelines on running the state. They [those who run the state] are answerable to Parliament,” he pointed out.
He also blamed the current 'state of affairs' of the country on decisions taken by military dictators in the past. “We thought we had strengthened democracy by the democratic transfer of power,” he said.
Tensions flare
Khursheed Shah also brought with him Noor Awan’s pictures with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, which he promptly displayed to the lawmakers, prompting the opposition to start sloganeering against the government.
“He also has a picture with Nehal Hashmi, [the same man] who said [those investigating the prime minister and his family] will be taken to cast,” Shah said.
“Some people also have pictures with Ziaul Haq,” commented Khursheed Shah.
The statement triggered an outburst from MNA Abid Sher Ali, who continued criticising the opposition even though he was told by the Speaker to remain silent.
“When you [Abid Sher Ali] were mistreated in Pervez Musharraf’s era, we stood by you,” retaliated Shah. “We stood by you when your father was mistreated as well.”
“They [PPP] kept us in Sahiwal jail over a Kalashnikov [arms possession] case,” Ali retorted. “What democracy are they [PPP] talking about?”
“I know why your father went to jail,” Aijaz Jakhrani of PPP hit back.
Shah accused the government of insulting the members of Parliament by using the organs of the State.
NA Speaker Sadiq, attempting to tamp the rapidly deteriorating situation, had to postpone the session and summon Shah and other ministers to his chambers.
