Tensions flared in the National Assembly on Friday as the Pakistan Threek-e-Insaf staged a protest during the oath-taking ceremony of four lawmakers elected on reserved seats.
The PTI’s objections were raised when Shahid Khattak, a member of the Sunni Ittehad Council identified lack of quorum, prompting the speaker to direct a headcount of assembly members.
Despite the protest, the four newly elected members on reserved seats proceeded to take their oaths, administered by Speaker Sadiq. Opposition members, however, voiced their disapproval by standing on their seats during the ceremony.
Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan strongly condemned the oath-taking, labeling it as unconstitutional and contempt of court. He asserted, “We condemn those who are forced upon us through ‘Form-47 elections’ and will continue to do so until our full 180 members arrive at the assembly.”
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, another PTI leader, echoed these sentiments, arguing that PTI’s members in the National Assembly and provincial assemblies joined the SIC, expecting reserved seats based on their quota.
