RAWALPINDI: Opposition groups in the National Assembly today (Nov 23) almost unanimously demanded immediate abrogation of defence treaties and exit from the Commonwealth “because the West betrayed the confidence reposed in allies by Pakistan”.

Government benches felt quite embarrassed by the unanimous demand and found it difficult to make the members realise the implications of such a drastic action at this stage.

Today’s entire three-hour session was in camera as ministerial benches did not find it convenient to throw the galleries open to the Press, diplomats and the public. When the House adjourned for the day, Opposition members looked jubilant, while disappointment and dejection could be read in the faces of the Ministers and their supporters.

Like yesterday, Treasury benches made a good start, but soon lost the initiative due to lack of direction in the conduct of the proceedings.

As the House met this morning Mr Mohammed Ali, Minister for External Affairs, read out the long texts of the treaties with the Western bloc, including SEATO, CENTO and the treaty of mutual defence assistance negotiated between India and America 11 years ago. He had hardly finished reading the US-India treaty when uproarious scenes began to be witnessed, according to the National Assembly members most of whom volunteered information to the waiting correspondents.—Staff Correspondent