ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the PML-N leader, threw parliamentary etiquette out the window and threatened National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser during Tuesday’s special session of the National Assembly.
During the session, Asad Qaiser, the National Assembly Speaker, and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi exchanged harsh words. According to sources, when Shahid Khaqan Abbasi used unparliamentary language to criticize Asad Qaiser, the Speaker lost his temper and directed the former Prime Minister to stay within his boundaries.
Addressing the Speaker, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi stated that he attempted to create controversy in the House by bringing the issue up. “You adjourned the session yesterday and convened a meeting today. If you were going to bring a resolution, you should have first spoken to the opposition”, Abbasi stated.
“Unfortunately,” he added, “this resolution is insufficient.” “You have introduced a resolution; we should be allowed time to consider it. We want a resolution to be passed unanimously”. Khaqan Abbasi stated that a committee of the whole, rather than a special committee, should be formed. Previously, the National Assembly was presented with a resolution calling for the expulsion of the French Ambassador to Pakistan over blasphemous caricatures.
The resolution’s text stated that to deport the French ambassador, an opinion from the parliament was sought to discuss this critical issue in the House. This is a susceptible subject, and a special committee should be formed. The resolution stated that the state should decide international affairs and that no group or individual should exert influence. It said that all European countries, and particularly France, should be made aware of the gravity of this situation.
According to the resolution, the issue should be raised collectively in international fora and discussed with all Muslim countries. The resolution’s text proposed creating space for religious protests in various parts of the country. The session of the National Assembly has been adjourned until 11 a.m. on April 23.
