Pakistan’s National Assembly suspended two lawmakers on Friday for causing a commotion during the presidential address to a joint session of Parliament. The address, delivered by President Asif Ali Zardari, marked the beginning of the new parliamentary year and was disrupted by protests and sloganeering.
On Thursday, President Zardari was greeted with loud protests and chants during his speech to the joint session of the Senate and National Assembly. The demonstrations were organized by members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC). Protestors shouted slogans such as “Go Zardari Go” while holding banners and blowing whistles.
In response to the disruption, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq took disciplinary action against two lawmakers, Jamshed Dasti and Muhammad Iqbal Khan. Both were accused of using “abusive language” and approaching the speaker’s dais in a threatening manner. A motion introduced by Speaker Sadiq, citing the conduct of the lawmakers, led to their suspension.
The motion, which passed by a majority of voice votes, outlined the disruptive actions of the suspended members. It described their use of whistles and trumpets, chanting of objectionable slogans, and display of banners and placards as violations of parliamentary decorum. The National Assembly cited Rules 21 and 33 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business to justify the suspension of the lawmakers from the current session.
Despite the disturbances, President Zardari maintained his composure and continued with his address, acknowledging the protestors with a smile. His speech, which focused on the importance of unity and strength in overcoming national challenges, proceeded despite the interruptions, signaling his commitment to the parliamentary process and the nation’s stability.
