ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – A session of the National Assembly was held under the chairmanship of Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, which was boycotted by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after its members were de-notified.
At the start of the session, PTI MNA Iqbal Afridi pointed out the quorum. Upon counting, the quorum was found complete. The speaker remarked that raising quorum issues during discussions on floods and terrorism was unfortunate.
The House approved a motion to suspend rules in order to postpone the Question Hour, moved by Syed Naveed Qamar.
We are boycotting due to government’s attitude: Barrister Gohar
Addressing the House, Barrister Gohar said that 236 people had died in Buner, but the NDMA did not provide the level of assistance it should have. “We will always have grievances with the NDMA. Our members are being continuously de-notified. In protest against the government’s behavior, we are boycotting this Assembly,” he said.
You have no concern with national issues, says speaker
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq responded that PTI would later claim they weren’t given a chance to speak. He said NDMA was working actively and he personally inquired about relief operations in Buner. “If you want to visit NDMA, that too can be arranged. Right now, we need to stand united. Pakistan is facing floods, and we should be talking about this. Pointing out quorum in such times is unfortunate. PTI has no concern with national issues.”
Your leader will only come out through courts: Azam Nazeer Tarar
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said, “Raising such questions is only politics for the sake of politics. My Constitution and law recognize only one Assembly, and that is this one. PTI’s leader will only come out through court decisions.”
He urged PTI members to stay in the House and talk about flood victims: “You came here with their votes.”
We want dialogue with protesting Baloch, but they are unwilling: Talal Chaudhry
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry told the House that the government would not show leniency towards attempts to achieve political goals under the guise of protests. He said Baloch groups were protesting outside the Press Club.
“We want to negotiate with them, but they are not ready to talk to anyone. We have tried different channels, including human rights activists, to make contact,” he said.
He added that the major hurdle in resolving the matter was the nature of the protesters’ demands, many of which the government cannot meet, while some cases are already in the courts.
The minister of state further said that the Missing Persons Commission was working on the issue: “We too want to have dialogue regarding the missing persons.”