The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) staged a walkout from the National Assembly  in protest against controversial remarks made by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz targeting the party. Following the walkout, the Speaker adjourned the assembly session until 11 am on Friday.Before leaving, PPP senior leader Syed Naveed Qamar addressed the House, expressing disappointment over the Punjab Chief Minister’s speech. “We were deeply hurt by her yesterday’s remarks.

Given the current circumstances, it has become difficult to work with the government,” he said.  “We have no obligation to sit with you. If you give us respect, we will stay. For years, we have been accused of propping up this government. CM Maryam says, ‘We will build canals because it is our water.’ But the reality is this water belongs to everyone. Without the Indus, there is nothing.” During his speech, members of the opposition party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), invited PPP lawmakers to sit on their benches.

Responding to the offer, Syed Naveed Qamar remarked, “That time is not far; soon it will come.”  PPP leader Naveed Qamar further announced, “Until conditions improve, we will not remain part of this House. We are walking out.” Meanwhile, PPP spokesperson Shazia Marri told the media outside Parliament House that the walkout was a direct result of the ruling PML-N’s refusal to retract or apologise for Maryam Nawaz’s statements. She condemned the remarks, calling them “regrettable and controversial”. Marri added, “The PML-N must take stock of its rhetoric toward allies.

Any decision regarding breaking the alliance rests with the Central Executive Committee. Wherever the PML-N governs, conditions are consistently deteriorating. In Punjab, the people are being deprived while the party is building motorways only up to their own homes.” She further said that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto had made no unreasonable demands that could justify such a reaction from the Punjab government. “If our rightful concerns raise their blood pressure, then it shows who is insecure,” she remarked.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)