ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Assembly witnessed dramatic scenes during the federal budget session as tensions between government and opposition lawmakers escalated into loud protests, slogan-chanting and heated exchanges, disrupting proceedings and creating a charged atmosphere inside the house.
The unrest began during Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb’s budget speech when members of the opposition, primarily from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), stood on their seats and staged a protest. Opposition lawmakers displayed placards and banners while chanting slogans demanding greater relief for the public amid ongoing economic challenges.
As the protest intensified, the noise level inside the assembly rose significantly, making it difficult for proceedings to continue smoothly. Opposition members repeatedly chanted “Give relief to the people,” while government lawmakers attempted to maintain order during the budget presentation.
According to parliamentary sources, a verbal altercation also took place between PTI lawmaker Shahid Khattak and government members Anjum Aqeel Khan, Musa Gilani and Kheal Das Kohistani. The exchange reportedly became heated before fellow lawmakers and security personnel intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.
The atmosphere grew even more tense when government lawmakers formed a protective cordon around Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, apparently as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident amid the ongoing commotion.
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