Chaos mars NA session as Shehbaz demands Zardari’s production orders

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif’s demand for issuance of production orders for Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari during the National Assembly (NA) session triggered chaos in the House, leading the speaker to adjourn it until Tuesday.

The session was called to discuss the federal budget presented by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for the next fiscal year but owing to the hostile political climate of the country, the discussion soon became diverted to the issue of lawmakers who are currently under custody in various cases.

Shehbaz said that Zardari is an elected representative and it is his right to be present in the House for discussion on the budget so that he can relay the grievances of the people of his constituency. His demand triggered protests from the treasury benches and the speaker asked him to finish his speech. Shehbaz, however, remained persistent in his demand, reiterating that it would not be fair to conduct the session in the absence of detained lawmakers.

Shehbaz also claimed that Prime Minister Imran Khan had threatened the opposition in his speech on June 11.

Later, former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf also reiterated Shehbaz’s demand, saying that it is obligatory on the speaker to issue Zardari’s production orders and if he does not do so, he would not remain impartial in his role.

Amid all the chaos in the House, the speaker adjourned the session till Tuesday at 10:00 am.