In an unprecedented gesture, a Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) member of the National Assembly Zafar Warraich on Tuesday quit as MNA and party's position.
"I am quitting as MNA and the party member, for which I have rendered services for 30 years, over differences with party leadership," he informed the House in emotionally-choked voice.
Speaking on a point of order, the PPPP members along with PML (N), BNP (Mengal) and PKMAP law-makers, the politician from Rahimyar Khan, said he had divergent views on party policy.
Talking to journalists, PPPP chief Makhdoom Amin Fahim described Zafar's decision as the worst example of horse-trading.
"The party leadership saw me with suspicion after I raised the common man's problems in the Parliament", Zafar Warraich complained.
Before he announced this decision, all the PPPP lawmakers staged walkout against the killing of Abdullah Murad Baloch in Karachi.
Zafar lamented that it was highly regrettable that no one appreciated those who believed in politics based on principles, adding throughout his association with the PPPP, he remained loyal and committed to the party's policy and in recent era, he along with other MNAs, faced threats and bribes to change his loyalties in the footsteps of the Patriots.
After resolution of the constitutional crisis, he contended that my part should have focussed on raising the masses' problems, but instead it was playing politics on the floor of the House.
His 'speech' was punctuated with desk thumping by the treasury benches, as the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal watched the angry public representative, announcing dissociation with the House and the party, which he joined when he was a college student.
Zafar Warraich, however, requested the 342-member House to focus on alleviation of the common man's problems. Waving his hand towards the treasury and opposition members, he said: "The entire nation looks towards you with hope. You are their hopes."
The MNA, who did not appear to have full control over his movement, went to the NA Secretary's desk in front of the Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain, requesting him to accept his resignation that he handed him.
Some members from both sides of the divide embraced him and patted his back, as he quickly moved out of the 'bewildered' House.
In his chat with newsmen, Zafar Warraich said he would arrange a detailed news conference in Lahore. He, however, made it clear that even if Benazir Bhutto asked him to review his decision, he won't.
PPPP Central Secretariat In-charge Ibne Rizvi tried to stop him but he did not listen to him and hastened to leave the Parliament House.
Speaking at a news conference at the Parliament cafeteria, PPPP President Makhdoom Amin Fahim alleged that the present regime had encouraged changing of loyalties by the opposition lawmakers. "Zafar has been complaining about coercion," he alleged.
The PPPP leader said it was quite possible, Zafar might have been made some offer for quitting the party.
PML (N) Acting President Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the government was bent upon sidelining the opposition, which was determined to carry forward its mission for restoration of democracy and revival of the Constitution.
Citing differences, three members of the constituent assembly ie Mian Iftikharuddin, M. Nawaz Gandapur and Sardar Shaukat Hayat had quit the Pakistan Muslim League and formed their own party - Azad Pakistan Party.