ISLAMABAD: An ugly situation developed in the National Assembly on Wednesday when Federal Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain and PTI-supported lawmakers exchanged harsh words and bad-mouthed each other.
The minister and PTI members, particularly Rana Atif, called each other’s fathers thieves before Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq could cool down the situation.
Both sides bad-mouthed each other for a few minutes. However, the minister later apologised for his behaviour in the House. Barrister Gohar Ali Khan regretted that the House did not begin on a positive note. “Rana Tanveer has apologised to us, and we accept his apology. If we want to strengthen this House, we must sign a memorandum of understanding. I repeatedly urge everyone to show tolerance and restraint; otherwise, tensions and hatred will continue to increase,” Gohar said.
He also welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s offer for talks. “We welcome the prime minister’s offer but we should be informed about the reason for the delay in these negotiations,” he said.
The PTI chairman said they had requested access to the party founder Imran Khan. He said Iqbal Afridi was suspended. “You should allow Iqbal Afridi to attend the remainder of the session,” he said.
Gohar said they had rejected the budget as there was nothing in it for the poor. “After the budget, flour, electricity, and medicines will become more expensive. We should learn lessons from the Iran war and experiences of other countries. You should amend the law and maintain a 90-day stockpile of petroleum. Despite the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), poverty is increasing,” said Gohar.
Meantime, Asad Qaisar responded to the defence minister’s remarks regarding the presence of some people sent by Faiz Hameed when he (Asad) was the speaker. “Yesterday, Khawaja Asif made a remark about me. I only want to ask him one thing: does your conscience not feel burdened by what happened in the February 8 elections?” he questioned. He also asked Asif if he genuinely believed he had won the elections.
Participating in the discussion, Rana Tanveer said the business community and other segments of the society had appreciated the measures announced in the budget 2026-27. He said incentives had been given to the export sector. Highlighting the olive sector’s potential, he said it was the government’s target to enhance its exports to $1 billion. The minister also highlighted Pakistan’s mediation between Iran and the US, emphasizing that this role will always be remembered in history.
Shazia Marri said the PPP always moved forward in accordance with the spirit of Charter of Democracy. She said Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) had empowered women and the world had recognised it. Rana Ansar said no women welfare scheme had been included in the budget.
Ali Musa Gilani said the funds of Punjab were being spent only in Lahore and Upper Punjab adding that motorways were being built in Sialkot and flyovers in Rawalpindi, but the children in south Punjab did not even have adequate hospitals.
“The people of South Punjab are not getting access to their own resources. Once again, I have the same grievance: give us our province. If you cannot give us a separate province, then at least give us our fair share of the resources,” Gilani said. He said it was due to Pakistan’s efforts that the US-Iran war had come to an end.
