PPP, PML-N trade barbs during joint session

ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers from the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) traded barbs during Thursday’s joint session of parliament.

PML-N lawmaker Mushaidullah Khan reacted to speeches by PPP leaders Aitzaz Ahsan and Khursheed Shah. Ahsan was critical of the government, stating a failure to crackdown on non-state actors. Aitzaz Ahsan demanded to know why Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did not mention RAW agent Kulbhushan Yadav’s name in his speech at the UN General Assembly last month. "I'm still waiting for the prime minister to bring up names of Indian spies in his addresses," the senator said.

In reaction to Ahsan, PML-N leader Mushahidullah Khan said a dossier pertaining to Kulbhushan Yadav had been given to the UN. He added that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif believed in actions over words. The PML-N leader also said that during the government of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, a list of Sikhs was handed over to India’s intelligence agency. “This is documented and Rajiv Gandhi had thanked Benazir Bhutto for this.”

During Mushaidullah’s speech, opposition members were told by National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq to refrain from cross-talk, while Mushaidullah was directed repeatedly to keep the debate on Kashmir.

The PML-N lawmaker also criticized PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, stating that the PML-N would win the 2018 elections and Nawaz Sharif would once again be prime minister. “We will see who will be prime minister and who will be in jail.”

READ: Bilawal says PPP will win 2018 election

In response to Mushaidullah, Aitzaz Ahsan said he had served as the interior minister and no such lists exist. He added that even if there was such a list, a civilian would not be spared if they had it.

PPP leader Khursheed Shah also responded to Mushaidullah, saying his party had spoken of unity. Shah spoke of a walk-out stating that one party had already boycotted and the PPP did not want the Kashmir issue to become controversial. Khursheed Shah was stopped by the NA speaker from staging a walk-out.

In an effort to defuse the tension, PML-N leader Raja Zafarul Haq apologized if sentiments were hurt. Mushaidullah Khan was also apologetic but said that during the question hour, people should display tolerance.