PPP MNAs accuse PML-N, PTI of ‘deliberately’ obstructing proceedings

ISLAMABAD: In a rare clash within the coalition government, the PPP on Wednesday accused both the ruling PML-N and opposition PTI of deliberately obstructing proceedings in the National Assembly, escalating tensions amid a contentious parliamentary session.

The disruption came on a day when several Pakistan People’s Party-backed (PPP) initiatives were on the agenda set for the debate. A proposal to rename Islamabad International Airport in honour of the late Benazir Bhutto was also scheduled for discussion during the session.

The session began with the question hour, but Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Iqbal Afridi immediately raised concerns about the lack of quorum.

In response, Ali Zahid of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), who was presiding over the session, ordered a headcount. The count revealed a quorum, and the House was declared in order.

However, Afridi insisted on speaking and was told by the presiding officer that he could address the floor once the question hour concluded.

At this point, PTI lawmakers began chanting slogans and holding placards bearing the image of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan in protest.

The session continued, but Afridi once again flagged the quorum issue. A subsequent headcount confirmed that the House did not meet the required quorum, prompting Zahid to abruptly prorogue the session, leaving several key agenda items, including the PPP’s proposal for renaming the airport, unresolved.

PPP lawmakers expressed strong discontent over the day’s proceedings, accusing the acting speaker of repeatedly adjourning the session despite the presence of a quorum.

They alleged that the disruptions were part of a deliberate effort to block their legislative agenda.

PPP MNA Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, who has been championing the airport renaming initiative, condemned the repeated adjournments, calling them a “petty political manoeuvre” designed to prevent her attention notice from being presented.

“It is being said that the speaker was instructed to postpone the session so that my notice could not be introduced,” she added.

The proposal to rename Islamabad’s airport as Benazir Bhutto International Airport has become a point of contention, with PPP lawmakers accusing the government of sidelining the issue for political reasons. They claim that PTI and PML-N are colluding to prevent the matter from being discussed in the House.

During the Question Hour, PPP MNA Nabeel Gabol also raised concerns over the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), accusing officials of taking bribes and overcrowding local centres.

Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation Imran Ahmed Shah defended the programme, stating that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed efforts to make it more transparent, with digitalisation slated for completion by 2026.

The day’s disruptions saw PPP lawmakers, including Agha Rafiullah, complain about the absence of ministers to answer questions.

He criticised the vague and evasive responses from the government, particularly on issues related to parliamentary travel allowances.

In the midst of the ongoing chaos, PPP leaders held a joint press conference outside Parliament, accusing both PTI and the ruling PML-N of orchestrating the disruptions.

Shazia Marri, Abdul Qadir Patel, and Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani claimed that the two parties were working in tandem to derail the proceedings and avoid addressing PPP-sponsored bills.

“We regret the presiding officer’s conduct today. The quorum was complete, yet unnecessary objections were raised,” Marri said, accusing PTI of exploiting quorum rules to create disruption.

“It seems there was some understanding between the government and PTI,” she added, noting that PML-N lawmakers deliberately vacated the House to ensure quorum failure.

Marri emphasised that the PPP takes parliamentary procedures seriously and accused PTI and the government of undermining the process.

“We are the ones who ensure the quorum is met,” she stated. “It is the PTI and the government that have undermined the process today.”

In response to the controversy surrounding the airport renaming, Marri reiterated the PPP’s commitment to honouring Benazir Bhutto’s legacy and demanded that the government uphold its earlier promises regarding the name change.

Abdul Qadir Patel also criticised the handling of the Question Hour, alleging that his inquiry had been interrupted when PTI’s quorum call took precedence.

“How was it allowed for a member to call for the quorum even before my question was finished,” he asked, adding that PML-N members had purposefully left the session to ensure it failed to meet quorum.

The House was prorogued sine die.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025