ISLAMABAD - The vote of confidence for PM Imran Khan was no doubt a big event in the political history but the dramatic scene of scuffle outside the parliament diverted the attention of the media.
With the victory of the PM in the vote of confidence, a debate sparked in the media whether the attack on PML-N’s leadership was a deliberate attempt. The statements of lawmakers from both sides clearly reflect their intentions to lock horns in the parliament in upcoming sessions of National Assembly.
The blame game will further intensify in coming days as the latter has decided to move a complaint in the Assembly Secretariat, background discussions with the lawmakers from both sides left this impression.
A drama was witnessed outside the Parliament House in the middle of a special session of the National Assembly convened for a vote of confidence for Prime Minister Imran Khan, as PTI’s workers and the opposition PML-N leadership grappled with each other.
A match of sloganeering between a large number of PTI workers and a few PML-N supporters was seen outside the parliament, as it had become difficult to control the messy situation. NA Speaker Asad Qaiser had condemned the incident and immediately ordered a complete inquiry. However, he did not announce formation of any proper parliamentary body.
PML-N’s senior lawmaker Riaz Pirzada blamed that the government side had created a mess outside the parliament to insult the opposition lawmakers. “Vagabonds attacked opposition lawmakers, which need to be probed properly,” said Pirzada while talking to this newspaper.
“Prime Minister was giving a lecture on morality and at the same time the opposition members were beaten outside the parliament,” PML-N’s MNA commented. He said that there was a need to probe the incident as a debate should also be arranged in the house.
On the other hand, the government side lawmakers have blamed the opposition for deliberately creating a mess outside the parliament to grab the attention on the day of vote of confidence. “They deliberately provoked our workers, initiated violence as evidenced in videos and then tried to play the victim card! It was ridiculous!,” said PTI’s senior member/ Minister for Human Rights Dr.Shireen Mazari, talking to The Nation. Minister said she had been a victim of abuse by a PML-N’s minister in the national assembly. “I have been a victim of abuse by a PMLN minister in NA who was protected by then Speaker who refused to make him apologise,” said the minister mentioning that everyone was aware of PML-N’s culture.
Political and parliamentary experts viewed that the opposition would soon submit a requisition in the National Assembly Secretariat with the intentions to start debate on the incident. Whereas, the government side would try to call a regular sitting as per the schedule. The debate on a matter related to scuffle always remained unending in the parliament without reaching any consensus, so chances are slim to initiate discussion on this matter.