National Assembly disrupts after ban on Fitna Al-Khawarij discussion | The Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD:

Pandemonium gripped the National Assembly on Monday after Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq declared that no member would be allowed to speak “in favour” of Fitna Al-Khawarij or against the ongoing operation, sparking uproar and protests from the opposition benches.

The charged session, marked by slogans, heckling and walkouts, quickly devolved into what observers described as an “assembly within an assembly”.

Opposition lawmakers, led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai, formed two rows in front of the speaker’s dais and began delivering their own speeches, intensifying the disruption and leaving the house in disarray.

Earlier, journalists in the press gallery staged a walkout at the call of the Parliamentary Reporters Association to protest alleged verbal abuse of senior journalist Ijaz Ahmed by PTI founder Imran Khan during his Adiala Jail trial.

In response, Speaker Sadiq sent members from both the treasury benches and the JUI-F to persuade the journalists. After their return, MQM lawmaker Khawaja Izharul Hassan presented a resolution condemning the PTI founder’s conduct and demanding security for Ijaz Ahmed.

“This house strongly condemns the behaviour of the PTI founder and demands protection for senior journalist Ijaz Ahmed,” the resolution stated.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan maintained that his party supported freedom of the press but said the matter needed clarity. “Let me at least meet and find out what happened between the PTI founder and the journalist,” he added.

Amid the noise, Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh managed to table the Ease of Business Bill 2025, which was passed by majority vote despite the opposition’s shouting and protests.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar hit out at the opposition, saying: “If the opposition has the courage, let them openly support fitna-e-khawarij. Instead of taking privileges here and shouting, go outside and hold your own assembly.”

MQM lawmaker Asia Ishaq also rose emotionally to declare that, “no one will be allowed to speak against the army or in favour of terrorists”.

The session was adjourned until 11am on Tuesday (today).