Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has demanded the resignation of National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser after the former ostensibly allowed Federal Minister for Communication Murad Saeed to address the session, by turning on his mic, instead of former defence minister Khawaja Asif.
The alleged partisan attitude of the NA speaker prompted protests from the PML-N and other opposition members, who surrounded Qaiser’s dice as Murad spoke.
“I can t be dictated on how to run the house,” said Qaiser said, urging the lawmakers to refrain from pressure tactics. “I will give chance to Kh Asif after Murad, but I can’t tolerate such gimmicks,” he said.
PTI’s Pervaiz Khattak tried to placate the protesting Opp members, but they refused to back off.
Asif, refusing to go back to his seat, said that the opposition benches won’t let Asad Qaiser run the house if their demands were not fulfilled. Qaiser eventually adjourned the session.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament House, Abbasi said Qaiser had lost the trust of the members due to his behaviour. “We are not begging, we are asking for our right,” he said, adding that the speaker interrupted Bilawal Bhutto thrice, [as well as] expunged his words.”
Abbasi questioned who had given the speaker the right to not let Asif speak, adding, “It is my request to the speaker to step down, given the pressure on him”.
