ISLAMABAD: Members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) walked out of the National Assembly on Tuesday in a protest against what they called the shrinking political space for their party.
The session, led by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, was convened to address the ongoing flood crisis in the country. However, PTI legislators exited the chamber and staged a separate demonstration outside the Parliament building to voice their dissent.
Former NA Speaker Asad Qaiser told journalists that the PTI members were boycotting the proceedings due to perceived injustices, including disqualifications and political marginalization. He mentioned that PTI lawmakers have also resigned from their committee positions as part of their protest.Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan led the group in establishing their own assembly outside the Parliament. “We will continue our session outside as long as the formal NA session persists,” Gohar stated.
He accused the government and authorities of systematically excluding PTI from the political process, highlighting that many of their members have been disqualified following convictions, and their cases are not being scheduled for hearings. “Even Imran Khan’s legal cases are not being given proper attention,” he added.
Gohar emphasized that despite efforts to participate in parliamentary proceedings, their voices have been suppressed, compelling them to hold their own assembly outside the official house. The NA session was later adjourned and will resume on Friday at 11 a.m.
