KARACHI, May 29: The Deputy Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, Rahila Tiwana, who presided over Tuesday’s session requisitioned by the joint opposition, has defended her decision of proroguing the session.

Talking to journalists in the speaker’s chamber after the session was prorogued, she said that she had exercised the power given to the chair under Rule 197(f) which says: The speaker shall have powers to “suspend or adjourn the sitting of the assembly in case of grave disorder.”

Recalling the events which led to the proroguing of the House, the deputy speaker pointed out that as she entered to preside over the session, members from the opposition indulged in hooting. However, she ignored it in the interest of taking the proceedings forward in relation to the May 12 incidents.

She said that the opposition members had displayed placards inscribed with slogans against the president and the Sindh governor in violation of the House rules.

Although these were removed after her ruling, when provincial minister Mohammad Hussain of the MQM rose from his seat, opposition member Dr Sharifunnisa Laghari allegedly passed non-parliamentary remarks against him. The deputy speaker asked her to withdraw the remarks. She said PPP member Rafique Engineer used harsh language against her and when she gave the ruling to withdraw the remarks, chaos broke out in the House.