An infuriated lawmaker of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) punched and slapped the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) member of the National Assembly, moments after the sitting was adjourned on Thursday.
Krishan Bheel of PML(N) assaulted the MNA Qari Gul Rehman of MMA, when members were coming out of the House. Both were elected from Sindh.
The House Business Advisory Committee took up the matter immediately, setting aside the business on its agenda and Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain gave 24 hours to the committee members before he takes a decision on Friday after the session. He will decide the matter after hearing both parties in the presence of the committee members.
Qari Gul Rehman submitted in writing a complaint against the PML (N) MNA and requested for necessary action in accordance with the law.
"I could not control myself on hearing abusive language from MNA Qari Gul Rehman," remarked Bheel when contacted for comments.
He conceded that he did not like a member, who sat on the opposition benches and toed the government policies.
It all started when Qari on a point of order thanked Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who was present in the House at that time for approving Rs 900 million gas project for Mansehra and adjoining areas.
The chair switched off his mike, saying this was not a point of order. But triggered a reaction from Bheel, who allegedly dubbed Qari as courtier (darbari mullah) and kept passing such remarks.
"Stop this non-sense. Hold your tongue," was the reaction from MMA lawmaker. The situation led them to come to blows. Bheel attacked Qari, who did not respond to the Qari defended his word of gratitude to the prime minister and said that it was a significant development that people of Mansehra, Allai and other areas would be supplied gas under the project.
"It is because of this assembly that the government okayed the project and there is no harm in thanking the prime minister for such a huge favour," he remarked.
Before this sorry incident, MMA MNA preferred not to join the combined opposition's walkout only to express his gratitude to Shaukat Aziz.
Within seconds, Chaudhry Nisar, Khawaja Asif, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, and others moved in to cool the boiling tempers down.
It is the first ever incidence of physical in the National Assembly since its inception under the 1973 Constitution.
Bothe the PML (N) and the MMA will have to resolve the issue amicably, as otherwise, this could have impact on their working relationship, keeping in view the fact that PML(N) was part of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD).
Meanwhile, a delegation of MNAs of PML(N) met MMA leader Haideri, who later took them to Qari's suite at the Parliament Lodges and called for settlement of the row.
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