KARACHI, Aug 18: Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah has defended his decision to adjourn the session saying although he had summoned the session on the requisition submitted by the opposition, they were not serious in the House.

Talking informally to a group of journalists in his chamber soon after the house was adjourned, he said he had heard Leader of the Opposition, Nisar Khuhro, Syed Qaim Ali Shah of PPP and Hameedullah Khan of MMA while from the treasury only law minister had spoken who made the proposal to prorogue or adjourn the session so that MPAs could visit their constituencies and help mitigate sufferings of rain and flood affected people.

He said he wanted to solicit the issue as both the sides had the right to comment on the proposal of the law minister as it was the House which ultimately had to decide. But, he said, the opposition members, particularly Rafique Engineer, violated the decorum of the House by insisting on speaking on a point of order another member from the opposition Hameedullah Khan was when already speaking on his motion.

Mr Shah said despite his warning, the opposition did not cooperate in maintaining decorum and run the House in an orderly manner. This shows that opposition was not serious in deliberations and he had left no choice but to adjourn the sitting.

In reply to a question, he said he had issued notice of reprimand to Rafique Engineer under rule 206 of the rules of procedure.