The National Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution to condemn the European Parliament's decision not to meet the Senator Maulana Sami-ul-Haq. Earlier, members from both sides of the divide, described the incident a glaring instance of discrimination against the Muslims. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Khusro Bakhtiar informed the House that the government had lodged strong protest with the European Union and Belgian envoys, summoned at the Foreign Ministry.
"This action is discriminatory in nature," the state minister said.
The combined opposition staged walkout to register its indignation over the matter and in their absence, the government hurriedly passed the resolution, prompting criticism even from the treasury.
Unlike previous days, the assembly resumed business with an hour's delay and quorum problem marred its proceedings.
After 10-minute suspension of the business due to the counting of members, much to the astonishment of all and sundry, Deputy Speaker Sardar Mohammad Yaqub resumed proceedings. The House lacked quorum till its prorogation sine die.
Imran Khan charged that it was unfortunate that President Musharraf wanted to be the sole follower of enlightened moderation, and that the rest were extremists and could assume power if he was not internationally backed.
His mike was switched off when he wanted to continue, and in protest, he walked out of the House, followed by all the opposition members.
MMA's Shah Abdul Aziz, who is from Maulana Sami-ul-Haq's Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, was the first to raise the issue and demanded of the government to take up the issue with the Belgian government.
He condemned the attitude meted out to the senators' delegation, particularly to Maulana Sami, who was described as pro-Taleban and a hard-line cleric.
Others who spoke included Aitzaz Ahsan, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, Hamidul Haq (son of Maulana Sami), Liaquat Baloch, Riaz Hussain Pirzada (treasury), Imran Khan and federal Health Minister M. Naseer Khan.
They all condemned the European Parliament's attitude and said it had hurt the feelings of the entire Pakistani nation. The lawmakers termed the attitude discriminatory.
The speakers said that what was meted out to Maulana Sami was a clear message to Pakistan by the so-called champions of democracy and torchbearers of fundamental rights and democratic norms.
Naseer Khan said that the delegation members enjoyed equal status as the prime minister, senators and the PML chief have decided that if one member was not entertained, the rest would also not hold meetings with their hosts.
"If the non-Muslims will treat us like this, then they should be ready for the same from us," Riaz Pirzada of the ruling coalition said.
Hafiz Hussain said the European Union was adopting double standards.
Aitzaz said that it was a matter of concern that the members of the Parliament were invited and their hosts insulted them.
"It also shows the fact that our Parliament is not sovereign; that is why our delegation faced this attitude," he said. He added in two years, two prime ministers were sent home.
Later, Rana Mahmoodul Hassan of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) pointed out lack of quorum and the proceedings were suspended after the counting.