Lack of quorum hit the National Assembly thrice on Monday and, as such, the government failed to get the bill on 'Karo-kari' (honour killing) through the House.
Ministers and lawmakers blamed the opposition for impeding the National Assembly business and making mockery of its rules of business and conduct.
Though, the clause-by-clause reading of the bill was completed amid opposition shouts pointing towards lack of quorum. The Chair could not formally put the bill for approval due to non-availability of minimum required number of treasury members.
The Chair suspended the business for the third time when some opposition members gathered in front of the Chair's dais, shouting the House was not in quorum.
The sitting was adjourned and the government is expected to pass the bill on Tuesday despite being a private members day.
Official business could not be entertained on the private members day as per the rules.
In the 342-member House, the government needs 86 members to avoid quorum problem.
Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) MNA Mian Aslam was the first to point out that the House was not in order.
Speaker Amir Hussain suspended the business till the quorum was completed. He, however, did not reveal the number of members present at that point of time.
The House witnessed tense moments, as the chief whip, Nasrullah Dreshak, snaked through the seats anxiously, waiting for members to come to the assembly.
However, it took the treasury more than an hour to fulfil the requirement, which was strongly disputed by Mian Aslam and Hafiz Hussain Ahmed.
Opposition lawmakers tauntingly watched from the lobbies, as treasury struggled to make sure that the required number of lawmakers was in the House.
They contested the Speaker's ruling that more than 87 members were around, insisting that only 77 members were present in the House, forcing him to order ringing of bells for five minutes. The Chair agreed to recount, but by then opposition members joined the rest.
Some ministers and treasury lawmakers criticised opposition parties, accusing them of being non-serious and impeding the House business.
Law Minister Wasi Zafar charged: "Since day one, the opposition was following a one-point agenda, which is unconstitutional and illegal, that is, to impede the proceedings."
He accused the opposition of being non-serious and misleading the House and the public on issues. The minister took strong exception to the opposition for contesting the Chair's ruling.
If they are not serious in being part of the assembly, he asserted, the opposition lawmakers should resign as its members. "They want to turn the House into mere spectacle," he charged.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Sher Afgan alleged that the opposition was not ready to acknowledge the government majority, which was the real spirit of democracy.
"This House has passed the 17th Amendment and the bill on uniform, but the opposition is not ready to accept this reality," the minister from Mianwali contended.
He challenged the opposition to go to the streets, adding masses will not welcome them or accept their viewpoints.
The minister demanded of the Chair to take action against members for spoiling the House atmosphere - be they from the opposition or the treasury.
"What they are doing in the assembly is a joke with the nation," he alleged.
He was particularly harsh towards the MMA lawmakers, asking, is this the sanctity of the House that they should draw their salaries, perks and privileges and, yet, create obstacles in its proceedings?
"We will not allow the opposition to bulldoze this House. What the opposition is doing is totally unbecoming attitude," charged MP Bhandara from the ruling party.
PML MNA Bushra Rehman wanted to know was it the duty of the opposition to point out quorum, while peeping from the lobbies?
She poured praise on the Speaker, calling him the most tolerant and decent in the country's parliamentary history. Treasury appreciated her remarks by desk thumping.
Parliamentary secretary Rajab Ali Baloch asked the opposition to 'shun non-parliamentary and undemocratic attitude and ensure smooth functioning of the House.
However, perhaps much to the treasury's surprise, PML lawmaker Rashid Akbar conceded that it was the government's responsibility to ensure quorum and said that it was opposition's constitutional right 'to point out our weaknesses'.
"What specifically is the reason? Why minimum required MNAs don't turn up? We should see to it. Except on the private members day, it is the treasury's duty to keep the House in order," he continued.
Deputy Speaker Mohammad Yaqoob had to suspend the business for 20 minutes after PPPP's Chaudhry Manzoor pointed out quorum and when the counting was held after the break, he declared the quorum was complete.
However, the opposition disputed his ruling and constantly called for recounting. The Chair ordered recounting and adjourned the sitting till Tuesday after found that the House was not in quorum.
Taking strong notice of the state of affairs, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz is believed to have placed it on top of the cabinet meeting agenda, likely to be held on Tuesday.
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