• Chunks of Omar Ayub’s speech not aired on PTV, social media channels
• ‘Independent’ MNA justifies voting for 26th amendment

ISLAMABAD: After running for an eventful three weeks, the National Assembly session was prorogued on Tuesday after Oppo­sition Leader Omar Ayub slam­med the government for showing “undue haste” in securing the passage of six bills a day earlier.

Shortly after the session began, Mr Ayub criticised the steamrolling of six bills, calling it a “shameful incident”.

Gesturing towards the government benches, the opposition lea­der regretted that while all the mi­n­isters and even the prime mi­n­ister were present in the house the previous night because they were under pressure, the benches were empty the following day.

However, Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah warned Mr Ayub not to spoil the atmosphere and expunged some of his remarks, when he called the present rulers “thieves and robbers”.

In his speech, a major portion of which was not broadcast — on PTV Parliament nor the NA’s official social media channels — Mr Ayub criticised the increase in tenure of the services chiefs, stating that the careers of many in the forces destroyed.

He was of the view that the government should have at least allowed debate on the bills before the Standing Committee on Defence and warned the rulers that they were ‘digging a hole for themselves’ as these laws would be used against them tomorrow.

According to Dawn.com, Mr Ayub also criticised the Special Investment Facilitation Council, saying the failed PIA privatisation bid was a “slap” on the government’s face.

He lamented the expected increase in gas prices, as well as the load-shedding of electricity and gas.

“They have not brought the current account deficit under control, [rather] imposed restrictions on import,” he claimed.

The opposition leader also alleged that the government was afraid of Imran Khan and wanted to target him, adding that around one million people had already left the country, which should be an eye-opener for the rulers.

He called for fresh elections in the country, stating that the ‘Form 47 government’ didn’t have the ability to run the country.

Mr Khan also praised Bushra Bibi for facing cases against her with courage, stating that she was a true power of Imran Khan.

Earlier, at the outset, the deputy speaker expressed his annoyance over the absence of the ministers from the house forcing him to defer the whole agenda of the private members’ day.

“A stern notice has been taken over the absence of the ministers,” said the deputy speaker before giving floor to the opposition leader.

‘Independent’ MNA defends himself

MNA Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, one of the PTI-backed ‘independent’ lawmakers who voted in favour of the 26th Amendment, was also given a chance to speak, Dawn.com reported.

Responding to PTI’s allegations that he “took money” in return for his vote, Mr Khichi said: “Standing beneath these pure names of Allah, I say that may Allah destroy me if I have taken even a single penny [as bribe].”

The MNA said Mr Ayub had made allegations of PTI members being pressured and intimidated to vote in favour of the Amendment, adding: “This means that despite knowing about all this, he is feigning ignorance.”

“It is true that our party leadership has sold us,” Mr Khichi alleged.

He went on to criticise the PTI for using the tactic of “creating noise to make themselves heard”, before asserting that he won “90,000” votes compared to some 2,500 when PTI contested against him.

All the while Mr Khichi spoke, the PTI lawmakers continued thumping their desks in protest, resulting in the deputy speaker calling for order to be restored and then adjourning the session indefinitely.

On Monday, Mr Khichi and his fellow ‘independent’ lawmaker Mubarak Zeb held separate meetings with PM Shehbaz Sharif.

According to a brief statement issued by the PM Office, both reposed trust in the government’s policies and assured the PM of continued support for his government.

Amir Wasim in Islamabad contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2024