ISLAMABAD: The opposition in the National Assembly took everyone by surprise on Thursday when quorum was pointed out in the session, which was summoned on their own requisition.

Towards the end of proceedings, the PTI’s chief whip Shireen Mazari, taking exception to an outburst from PML-N MNA Captain Mohammad Safdar, got into an argument with Deputy Speaker Murtaza Abbasi. When the speaker did not allow her to respond, she pointed out quorum, forcing the presiding officer to conduct a roll call. PTI members then left the house, and did not return, even for the roll call.

Proceedings were initially suspended, and when numbers dwindled even further, the deputy speaker was forced to adjourn the house until Friday, but not before censuring the PTI.

“This is perhaps the first time in Pakistan’s parliamentary history that the opposition has [scuttled] a session that was summoned on its requisition,” he said, adding that it was the opposition’s responsibility to maintain adequate numbers in the house. He also termed Ms Mazari’s move – of pointing out quorum and then leaving the house – “unparliamentary”.

Khursheed Shah takes exception to wrapping up of debate on opposition agenda in his absence

However, Ms Mazari offered a different version. “The session we had requisitioned was wrapped up on Wednesday, so Thursday’s proceedings were considered the government’s session,” Ms Mazari told Dawn after the session.

“Captain Safdar had been making personal attacks against our leadership for three days and PTI had asked the deputy speaker repeatedly to allow us the right to reply to him, but he did not. If we have to face their taunts in the house, they should fill up the seats with their own members.”

She was referring to the discussion on oil prices and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which were the agenda items that 121 opposition members said they wanted to discuss when the session was requisitioned last week.

That discussion was wrapped up on Wednesday, but Opposition Leader Syed Khursheed Shah took exception to the way this agenda item was disposed of, as the question hour ended.

“This is no way of conducting business. Everyone is aware that I had to chair a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee. You, deputy speaker, you are my witness; I sat here all through the day when this item was being discussed. When I left yesterday, it was my understanding that other speakers will be allowed to finish and we will wind up the discussion today (Thursday),” he complained.

Deputy Speaker Murtaza Abbasi seemed flustered by Mr Shah’s outburst and tried to placate him by admitting that there had been a “miscommunication”, but the opposition leader would have none of it. “Sessions are requisitioned when circumstances are such that there is no other way,” he said.

The National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill 2015, moved by State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali, was sent back to the committee after several members took issue with many clauses of the bill and Iqbal Qadri of the MQM pointed out that the draft law had not been vetted and approved by the Council of Common Interests, as per constitutional requirements.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2016