Opposition lawmakers stage walkout from NA on fifth day over PM's absence
The National Assembly session resumed with Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in the chair.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Opposition members staged walkout from the National Assembly on fifth day today (Friday) in protest against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s continuous absence in the House, Dunya News reported.
The National Assembly session resumed with Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in the chair.
PPP’s Naveed Qamar stated that opposition lawmakers won’t sit in the Parliament until Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif responds to their questions.
Meanwhile, the assembly session was adjourned due to incomplete quorum.
On the other hand, a joint meeting of the opposition parties chaired by Aitzaz Ahsan, leader of the opposition in Senate, took place at Parliament House.
Members of PPP, PTI, PMLQ, AML and other opposition parties participated in the meeting.
The meeting decided to boycott NA and Senate proceedings until Prime Minister arrives in the House.
Talking to reporters, Senator Aitzaz Ahsan stated that PM Nawaz is unaware of parliamentary norms and traditions.
We will not cross-examine the premier over his statement in the Parliament, he added.
Aitzaz pointed out that former prime ministers Yousaf Raza Gilani and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf regularly attended Parliament session during PPP’s rule.
Earlier on Thursday, Nawaz Sharif postponed his visit to National Assembly (NA) till Monday. He was expected to attend NA session today to respond to questions raised by the opposition.
Talking informally to media, NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that the arrangements have been made with Opposition about PM’s address.
“I want to run the house in a pleasant mood”, he said.
Ayaz Sadiq said that the opposition had assured him of keeping the environment peaceful during PM’s address. He told that he had also consulted with the ministers in this regard.
It is pertinent to mention here that Opposition had demanded taking the house into confidence on Panama Leaks issue.
