Two Pakistani Lawmakers Suspended for Disruptive Behavior During President's Address

Two Pakistani lawmakers, Jamshed Ahmad Khan Dasti and Muhammad Iqbal Khan, were suspended from the National Assembly on Thursday for their disruptive behavior during President Asif Ali Zardari's inaugural address to the 16th National Assembly. The lawmakers, backed by the opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), created a ruckus in the House, using abusive language, approaching the speaker's dais in a threatening manner, blowing whistles and trumpets, chanting objectionable slogans, and displaying banners and placards.

The National Assembly Speaker, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, suspended the memberships of Dasti and Khan for the ongoing session, citing the violation of the sanctity of the House and the rules outlined in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, 2007. The decision was made in accordance with established rules and regulations to maintain the decorum and integrity of parliamentary proceedings.

The suspended lawmakers defended the opposition's protest, stating that they will continue to fight for the supremacy of the Constitution and the law in the country. However, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari criticized the opposition's conduct and use of abusive language, terming it "unparliamentary" behavior. Bilawal expressed support for the speaker's decision to suspend the two MNAs, emphasizing the importance of establishing standards for parliamentary conduct.

Why this matters: The incident highlights the ongoing political tensions in Pakistan, with the ruling PPP and the opposition parties engaging in a war of words over the conduct of lawmakers in parliament. The suspension of the two lawmakers sets a precedent for maintaining decorum and adherence to parliamentary rules during important national addresses.

In his address, President Zardari emphasized the need for mutual respect, political reconciliation, and meaningful dialogues to effectively tackle the country's challenges. The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs condemned the opposition's attitude during the president's speech.

Key Takeaways

• Two Pakistani lawmakers suspended for disrupting president's address
• Lawmakers used abusive language, approached speaker's dais, displayed banners
• Speaker suspended memberships for violating parliamentary rules and decorum
• Opposition defended protest, PPP chair criticized unparliamentary conduct
• Incident highlights political tensions, sets precedent for parliamentary conduct