ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Wednesday accused its coalition partner, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), of acting in “collusion” with the PTI after National Assembly proceedings were abruptly adjourned before the house could take up a PPP-led agenda item on renaming the Islamabad International Airport after former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
Quorum pointed out before Benazir airport item
The last item on the day’s agenda was a calling-attention notice moved by First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari and PPP lawmakers, seeking an explanation from the defence minister on delays in renaming the newly built airport in honour of the slain former premier.
As PPP MNA Abdul Qadir Patel spoke during the question hour, PTI MNA Iqbal Afridi pointed out the lack of quorum.
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Presiding officer Ali Zahid of the PML-N ordered the count and declared:
“63 members are present, the house is not in order.”
He then adjourned the session — prompting PPP lawmakers to stage a loud protest with their microphones turned off.
PPP alleges conspiracy
Speaking to the media, PPP MNA Shazia Marri said the abrupt adjournment “reeked of conspiracy,” adding:
“It appeared as if the PML-N and PTI were colluding.”
She noted that the session had ended barely an hour after it began, calling the move “intentional and unacceptable”.
Addressing the media after the session’s abrupt end, PPP MNA Shazia Marri termed the move “a conspiracy” against the PPP, alleging that “it appeared as if the PML-N and PTI were colluding.” https://t.co/scjXxJTnQ5
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 10, 2025
Marri warned the coalition partner that “given the state of the country, the PML-N ought to be more careful.”
Patel: ‘A well-thought-out conspiracy’
PPP’s Abdel Qadir Patel claimed PML-N MNAs were “sitting in the lobby” when the quorum was pointed out.
“My question had not even been completed. How was a member allowed to point out quorum?” he asked.
He further questioned why the new Islamabad airport could not carry Benazir’s name when the original Islamabad airport previously had.
Patel said the PPP would decide its “future course of action” if the government failed to address the matter.
Aseefa condemns ‘petty tactic’
On X, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari criticised the presiding officer:
“It has become a mockery to constantly suspend the session despite having quorum… A very petty tactic.”
She claimed she had been told the speaker was instructed to avoid taking up her calling-attention notice.
Background on airport renaming
The old Islamabad airport was renamed Benazir Bhutto International Airport in 2008.
However, the newly constructed airport opened in 2018 was named New Islamabad International Airport, dropping the former PM’s name — a move the PPP has long criticised.
Earlier this year, KP Governor and PPP leader Faisal Karim Kundi formally requested the prime minister to rename the new airport after Benazir, citing her services and her legacy.
