Opposition leader, defence minister face off over Hashmi's comments

ISLAMABAD: Opposition parties in the National Assembly again boycotted proceedings on Friday over the government’s refusal to broadcast their budget speeches live.

During his address in the assembly, Shah said the government is fomenting conflict with state institutions which will have devastating consequences. “What will become of democracy [in these circumstances],” asked Shah.

He was referring to recent controversial remarks by then Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz senator Nehal Hashmi wherein he threatened ‘those investigating the prime minister’s family’.

Shah wondered how a senator could have the courage to make such remarks.

He claimed that despite all the sacrifices his party [Pakistan Peoples Party] has made, they never uttered such remarks.

Responding to the opposition leader, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif said there is no defending the kind of language used by Hashmi. “It can only be condemned,” he said, stressing that within one hour Hashmi’s party membership was revoked.

“This shows our commitment to respecting institutions,” he stated.