ISLAMABAD: The Awami National Party (ANP) walked out of the National Assembly session on Thursday, claiming that proceedings of the House were not being run according to Parliamentary norms.

“As the proceedings of the House are being run against Parliamentary rules and procedures, we have no option except to walk out,” ANP President Asfandyar Wali said while announcing his decision to walk out of the session.

Wali opposed the discussion on resolutions moved for creation of new provinces in South Punjab and Hazara saying that as these issues were not present on the order of the day, hence discussion could not be started.

He said he was not opposed to a debate on the issue but members should have been intimated in advance about it. “We should have been given time so that we could be prepared for the debate,” he added.

Moreover, Wali said that his party did not oppose the creation of new provinces, however, the process should occur according to the constitution.

The ANP chief also said they would also oppose a bill for the creation of a Seraiki province if presented in parliament. According to the constitution, the concerned province has to first pass a resolution with a two-third majority for such a bill to be presented in parliament, he said.

Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and some Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) legislators had also expressed similar views regarding discussion on the issue. This generated a controversy leading to an uproar, forcing Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi to suspend proceedings for twenty minutes.

However, when the proceedings resumed the ANP chief announced their decision to walkout of the session.