By Chathushka Perera
Istanbul, Pakistan (CWBN)_ Resentments are on the rise between the Pakistani Government, led by PM Imran Khan, and the opposition. In the latest, the National Assembly proceedings in the Parliament were halted till Friday (23rd October) due to a lack of order amongst MPs, instigated by anti-government protests carried out by the opposition, yesterday (20th October).
Members of the opposition were found chanting slogans, blowing whistles and tearing up agendas disrupting the consideration of 21 treasury bills and 22 bills submitted by the opposition. Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, responded to the situation by demanding the rejection of the latter bills as the opposition showed “no interest in the proceedings”. Owing to the circumstances, 103 of 169 articles under the agenda were considered during the session.
This is the second time such an incident ensued within the National Assembly in the last five days, the former taking place last Friday.
Moreover, in response to a massive opposition rally organised by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and held on Sunday in Gujranwala, Lahore, the Government arrested the Leader of the Opposition, Muhammad Safdar, who was staying at a hotel in Karachi, just hours after the rally took place (19th October). Safdar has been accused for the use of anti-government slogans during a visit to the Muhammad Ali mausoleum, just prior to the rally.
Local news channels, also reported that Maryam Nawaz, Muhammad Safdar and leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N), along with 2000-2200 others, have been “booked” for violations of provincial law pertaining to noise pollution and public order, in a case registered at a local police station.
The political crisis began after allegations of tampering with the 2018 election were made against the current government and Army Chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, for orchestrating the removal of Nawaz Sharif. Adding to the crisis, Khan said that, “There will be no compromise on the rule of law”, while addressing the Political Committee of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI
