Staff Reporter
Islamabad
The Opposition created a ruckus in the National Assembly on Wednesday as they protested against Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri, who was chairing the session, for denying them an opportunity to speak.
Amid the ruckus, PPP leader Agha Rafiullah Awan started to raise his voice when the treasury benches began discussing the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s rallies. Rafiullah after being told to stop interrupting the proceedings, he proceeded to clash directly with the deputy speaker.
After being warned that he was “getting personal”, Rafiullah was ordered to leave the assembly hall.
“He impedes the NA proceedings and will not be allowed in,” Suri said. Former premier Raja Pervez Ashraf promptly apologised on Awan’s behalf and asked for the ruling to be withdrawn, but the deputy speaker refused to accept to leave the hall for at least one minute. PTI MNA Ali Muhammad interjected at this point to read out from the rules of the house and point out that Rafiullah himself should apologise.
“He should respect the chair and follow the deputy speaker’s command,” he said, recommending that Awan leave the hall for a minute and return so that the chair’s ruling is implemented.
After being warned that disobeying the chair could lead to his suspension from the house, Rafiullah left the hall along with other opposition leaders and returned after a few minutes.
