Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) boycotted the National Assembly session and staged a walkout, setting up a parallel symbolic session outside the Parliament House.
During the session, PTI leader Asad Qaiser stated that while his party shares the pain of flood victims, the injustices and oppression faced by PTI compelled them to walk out of the Assembly. He added that this was also the reason behind their resignation from standing committees.
Following his announcement, all PTI members left the chamber. Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq expressed regret, saying the Assembly was discussing flood victims. He reminded members, including Iqbal Afridi, that since their constituencies were badly affected by floods, they should have voiced their concerns before leaving.
Outside Parliament, PTI leaders held their so-called “Awami Assembly,” chaired by Asad Qaiser. During the symbolic gathering, lawmakers raised slogans demanding the release of the party founder. Addressing the assembly, Barrister Gohar said PTI was denied its rightful representation in Parliament, which forced them to hold the symbolic session.
Meanwhile, inside the National Assembly, Noor Alam Khan remarked that no one listens to the members. He criticized the provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, questioning who granted NOCs to illegal housing societies. He added that the PDMA in the province failed even to save 12 lives during the floods.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi said if the system is to be labeled as “hybrid,” then it would be better to move to the opposition benches. He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s grand reception in China reflects his successful foreign policy.
Saira Afzal Tarar highlighted that her district, Hafizabad, located along the River Chenab, saw hundreds of villages submerged and crops destroyed by the recent floods. Referring to an NDMA briefing, she warned that rapidly melting glaciers due to climate change pose further threats, stressing the urgent need for drainage and protective measures.
