ISLAMABAD, March 12: The first session of the Senate after the induction of newly-elected members witnessed an unprecedented rumpus, exchange of harsh words between the re-elected chairman, Mohammedmian Soomro, and members, and combined opposition’s walkout, which marred the otherwise smooth process of oath-taking and elections for the offices of chairman and deputy chairman.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who had described completion of the electoral process as another milestone in the country’ democratic march, left the house as situation started getting ugly. Mr Soomro warned PPP Parliamentarians Dr Safdar Abbasi of dire consequences and ‘zero-tolerance’ when the latter used harsh words against him after moving close to the chairman’s rostrum.

Opposition leader Mian Raza Rabbani persuaded Mr Abbasi to cool down and leave the place after which the combined opposition walked out of the House to protest against what it termed ‘changed attitude’ of the chair.

It was rather an anti-climax when opposition lawmakers, who accused the chair of having changed his attitude after re-election, had earlier taken the lead in facilitating him. Mr Soomro was literally encircled by treasury and opposition members embracing and congratulating him, delaying his swearing in for the fresh tenure.

Mr Soomro was re-elected chairman and Jan Mohammad Jamali deputy chairman in elections held smoothly through secret ballot after 49 out of 50 newly-elected senators had taken oath of office.

Mr Soomro polled 48 votes against 39 secured by opposition’s joint candidate Abdur Rahim Mandokhel. One vote was declared invalid Mr Jamali received 59 votes against 39 scored by opposition’s Prof Sajid Mir’s 39.

Khalid Ranjha, who had conducted the poll for the chairman’s post, administered the oath of office to Mr Soomro. The trouble started when Mr Rabbani in his speech started accusing the government of having used pressure on provincial legislators to get official candidates elected.

Mr Soomro asked Mr Rabbani to confine himself to the election of chairman and deputy chairman.

Dr Safdar Abbasi said that if the chair did not allow Mr Rabbani to speak the opposition would not let anyone else speak.

More opposition lawmakers joined Mr Abbasi and pandemonium reigned in the house for some time till the opposition decided to walk out.

Treasury’s Wasim Sajjad, Mushahid Hussain and Nisar Memon went to the opposition in the chamber but were unable to persuade them to return.

Some vocal treasury members, including Kamil Ali Agha, Tariq Azeem Khan and Ms Parigul Agha, tried to stop their colleagues from trying for a reconciliation with opposition and took serious notice of what Safdar Abbasi had said while addressing the chair.

Speaking after the election of chairman and deputy chairman, Prime Minister Aziz said the peaceful completion of the process was a clear manifestation of Pakistan’s commitment to democracy.

He said the election would help establish the fact that the democratic process was moving forward. He congratulated the opposition for participating in the democratic process and said the government and opposition together would work for the progress of the country.

Abdur Rahim Mandokhel of the Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party criticised those who said the army was a reality in the country’s governance and accused the army of being responsible for the turmoil in country.

The chairman interrupted Mr Mandokhel and eventually his mike was switched off which angered the opposition lawmakers.

When opposition leader Raza Rabbani was given the floor he blamed the administration of influencing the Senate elections.

Addressing the chair, he said: “You have started interrupting which was never done in your first tenure and we hope you will continue to be the same Soomro in your second tenure.”

He warned that no one should think that he or she could browbeat the opposition because “we are here to represent the poor people of Pakistan”.

Mr Soomro interrupted the opposition leader and said: “We all here represent our poor people.”

He said: “Bear with me to put the house in order and abide by the rules.”

He told Mr Soomro: “If you will speak out of context then other (treasury) members will also insist on using their right to speak.”