KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly’s Monday session was disrupted by a strong protest by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) over the Gul Plaza tragedy as the opposition party demanded a judicial probe into the incident.

The session started with a low turnout, with only Jamaat-i-Islami’s Muhammad Farooq present on the opposition benches. However, it quickly heated up when MQM-P members stormed in with placards, disrupting the Question Hour being conducted by Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed.

As Question Hour began, Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi tried to speak on a point of order but the chair told him that he would be given the floor after the business on the agenda.

The situation turned further tense when MQM-P members rushed the podium. They chanted slogans against the government and overpowered the deputy speaker’s attempts to restore order. The deputy speaker finally wrapped up the Question Hour and handed the floor to Mr Khurshidi, who firmly stated that the assembly would not function until a judicial commission was formed.

The deputy speaker told him to move a motion and that the house would take a decision on it.

Mr Khurshidi, however, stood firm, saying opposition members would address the house about the Gul Plaza fire first. “No proceedings till they are heard,” he declared and said that the chief minister told the lawmakers a one-sided story and then left the house.

Amid the ruckus, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar requested the chair to suspend the business on the agenda and allow all members to speak on the matter.

However, the MQM-P members continued protesting and demanding the formation of a judicial commission.The law minister requested the chair to adjourn the house if the opposition members were not willing to speak on the issue. Despite the deputy speaker’s repeated requests, the house remained chaotic and the session was adjourned to Tuesday.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2026