Speaker, PTI Trade Barbs in NA as Tensions Rise Over ‘Confrontational Politics’

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly (NA) witnessed sharp exchanges on Monday as Speaker Ayaz Sadiq criticised what he described as “irresponsible and provocative” remarks by Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai — the opposition’s nominee for leader of the opposition, whose notification remains pending. The speaker warned against attempts to disrupt parliamentary proceedings, while the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) insisted it had no intention of attacking parliament.

Opening the session, Mr Sadiq said an unnamed member had entered the Parliament House and announced plans to disrupt proceedings when Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah was presiding. The same member, he added, later issued a statement threatening to use public force to halt the assembly’s business. Though he did not name Mr Achakzai, the remarks were widely interpreted as directed at him.

“This is my responsibility to protect parliament. It is inappropriate to talk against the state and parliament. We will all stop it together,” he said, urging collective action to preserve parliamentary supremacy and democratic norms.

PTI assures it will not attack parliament

The speaker’s comments prompted an immediate response from PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, who said the party had no intention of storming or attacking the assembly. Several PTI lawmakers echoed his position.

Barrister Gohar urged the speaker not to escalate tensions, arguing that politicians had the right to criticise the functioning of parliament. When he referred to Mr Achakzai as the opposition leader, however, the speaker interrupted, noting that the PkMAP chief had not been notified as such.

The post of opposition leader has remained vacant since August following the disqualification of Omar Ayub in the May 9 cases. While the PTI has nominated Mr Achakzai, the speaker says the matter is sub judice and cannot be decided until the court issues direction.

Speaker recalls threats during 2014 sit-in

Mr Sadiq also revisited the 2014 protest by the PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), saying that while presiding over a joint session during the sit-in, he was sent a chit threatening him to adjourn proceedings within five minutes or risk lawmakers’ safety. The letter allegedly implied that “cousin brothers” — a reference to Imran Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadri — could storm parliament.

He said parliament had firmly defended the Constitution at that time and would do so again if necessary. “Such tone and language will never be acceptable. Parliament’s dignity will be protected at all costs,” he added.

PTI members responded by insisting that they had always advocated strengthening democracy. Barrister Gohar said that throughout history, parties including the PPP and PML-N had held sessions outside the Parliament House and that criticism of the institution was not new. He warned the government not to create a divide that could place the country on an “irreversible path”.

Resolution against Achakzai not put to vote

During the session, PML-N lawmaker Shumaila Rana read out a resolution condemning Mr Achakzai’s remarks and seeking his disqualification; however, the speaker prevented the house from voting on it.

“What is the need of moving a resolution? Have we become so weak that we need help from resolutions? Read it, but we will not vote,” he said, asserting that parliament would respond firmly to any “anti-state or anti-parliament” actions without relying on such measures.

Dialogue offer reiterated; PTI links talks to meeting with Imran Khan

Responding to PTI’s criticism, Mr Sadiq reiterated that dialogue remained the only path forward. He said his doors had always been open and that both the prime minister and law minister had repeatedly expressed willingness to engage.

He added that he had personally offered talks to the opposition leader, but the response he received was: “Talk to India, talk to Afghanistan — but I will not talk to you.”

PTI MNA Ali Muhammad Khan also backed negotiations but said talks had previously failed because the government had not allowed them to meet incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan. He maintained that any political dialogue would have to include permission for such meetings.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar rejected this condition, saying such “undemocratic demands” could not be entertained.

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Row over governor’s rule in KP

The issue of a possible imposition of governor’s rule in KP also surfaced, with PTI leader Asad Qaiser warning the government of severe political fallout if it attempted the move. He accused the treasury benches of adopting an “undemocratic attitude”.

However, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar countered that governor’s rule was a constitutional provision and not equivalent to martial law. If circumstances warranted it, he said, the move would still fall within constitutional bounds.

Legislation passed; next sitting today

Despite the heated debate, the assembly passed the Federal Prosecution Service (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the National Commission for Human Rights (Amendment) Bill 2025.

The NA will meet again today (Tuesday) at 2pm after a joint sitting of both houses of parliament, which the government has convened to clear pending legislation.

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