National-Assembly-670
A view of the National Assembly. — File photo

ISLAMABAD: MNAs from the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) were protesting during Friday's session of the National Assembly, DawnNews reported.

Presided by Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi, the session commenced under opposition lawmakers’ shouts of "go Gilani, go!" accompanied by booing and desk-thumping.

The slogan-chanting MNAs also tore the day's agenda to pieces in their protest against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

The House however managed to pass the National Human Rights Commission Bill 2012 during the session.

Criticising PML-N lawmakers, Law Minister Farooq H Naek told the House that the opposition's attitude violated the National Assembly's code of conduct.

Naek warned the PML-N that its “rowdiness would create anarchy in the country and derail democracy”.

“Rowdiness is against democratic norms and rules of procedure. It would lead to anarchy and if democracy is derailed, the PML-N would be responsible for it,” he said.

The law minister said that the Supreme Court had not disqualified the prime minister.

“Even today, Gilani is member of this House and the prime minister,” he added.

The minister said the government also wanted to create the Hazara province but the measure required the consensus of the coalition partners.

“Once we evolve consensus with the coalition partners, we shall bring a resolution in the House about creating the Hazara province,” he added.

The session was subsequently postponed indefinitely.

Earlier on Thursday, amid noisy protests from the PML-N, the remainder majorities of both houses of parliament placed their “complete confidence” in Prime Minister Gilani. The National Assembly also demanded a new province of south Punjab.

The two resolutions — one showing support for the embattled prime minister and the other demanding for the creation of Pakistan’s fifth province — were passed by a tumultuous National Assembly in the morning while the Senate only passed the first resolution in the evening.

Opinion

Editorial

Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...
Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.