The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday turned into a fish market when debating the issue of the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Asghar Khan case, as the speaker seemed absolutely helpless in dousing the situation.
The situation took an ugly turn when on a point of order seeking the chair’s attention, the PPP’s deputy parliamentary party leader, Shaukat Mehmood Basra said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif should come and explain his position before the House in the light of the Supreme Court decision. He was of the opinion that Shahbaz did not accept the SC decision and had exploited the issue for personal gains. Taking the floor, Parliamentary Secretary Tahir Khalil Sindhu said opposition leader Raja Riaz Ahmed had given an application to the speaker regarding disqualification of the chief minister. He argued that no question arose of explanation from the Chief Minister since his name was not mentioned in the court’s verdict. Both legislators stuck to their stance and started shouting at each other. Members from both, the treasury and the opposition benches, started backing them by hurling invectives at each other. Amidst the deafening noise, the PA speaker kept asking the members to calm down, but no one paid him any heed. The episode of charges and counter charges continued when Faiza Malik, a PPP member, pointed out the quorum and the chair ordered that bells be rung for five minutes. As the treasury failed to fetch the required strength, the speaker adjourned the House until Wednesday (today).
