ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) took their verbal duel in parliament into the second day on Friday. The former boycotted the proceedings of the National Assembly and called for the suspension of ruling party MNA Javed Latif’s membership of the lower house for using “abusive language” against the sisters of PTI’s leader Murad Saeed.

On his part, Mr Latif, who was punched by Mr Saeed at the main entrance to Parliament House on Thursday, adopted an apologetic tone over his remarks, but at the same time he threatened PTI leaders with “dire consequences if they harm me again”.

“We want suspension of Javed Latif from the National Assembly,” PTI leader Arif Alvi said during Friday’s session.
Soon after the conclusion of the question hour, Mr Alvi sought the deputy speaker’s permission to speak about the shouting match between Murad Saeed and Javed Latif.

When the deputy speaker allowed Mr Alvi to speak, he gave a clean chit to his party leader and sought suspension of the PML-N MNA.

He said Mr Latif had likened PTI chief Imran Khan to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and MQM chief Altaf Hussain, calling him a “traitor”.

“Mr Saeed could not tolerate it.”

Mr Alvi suggested that Shah Jee Gul Afridi, an independent member, be asked to head a committee tasked with determining the cause of the clash and fix responsibility.

Another PTI leader, Ali Muhammad Khan, said no member of his party could even think of calling Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif a “traitor”.

He urged the deputy speaker to expunge abusive words used by Mr Latif against Mr Saeed. “We are Pakhtuns, we can digest a bullet but not humiliation.”

After completion of Mr Khan’s speech, PTI members staged a walkout and said they would not return to the parliament unless Mr Latif’s membership was suspended.

Earlier in the day, Mr Latif said he would give a “befitting reply” if any PTI leader tried to harm him in future. “My name is Javed Latif and I will see who dares harm me in future.”

He admitted that he had called Imran Khan a “traitor”, but defended his attitude nevertheless. “I called Imran Khan a traitor because he was doing whatever Mujibur Rahman and Altaf Husain did. If I do not call Imran a traitor, what else should I call him,” he wondered.

But talking to reporters outside parliament, Mr Latif was apologetic about what he had said against the family members of Mr Saeed. “Whatever happened yesterday (Thursday) was wrong and I used unethical words in anger,” he conceded.

“Murad Saeed is like a son to me and therefore I asked him whether he has not learnt manners from his parents,” the ruling party leader said.

Another PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique lashed out at the PPP for pointing out the quorum in a bid to block adoption of the military courts bill.

“Peoples Party has supported the PTI’s move at a wrong time.”

In reply to questions about the statements of PTI members Arif Alvi and Ali Muhammad Khan, he said it was quite illogical on the part of the PTI that after giving statements against the government, they left the house.

Mr Rafique criticised Imran Khan for defending Mr Saeed’s behaviour instead of censuring him.

“Murad Saeed did not only punch Javed Latif in the face, he also attacked N-Leaguers Khaqan Abbasi and the deputy speaker.”

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2017