Islamabad: The National Assembly on Thursday suspended Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Iqbal Afridi for the entire budget session following allegations of misconduct with parliamentary staff, the Director General Media, and police personnel, triggering heated exchanges and repeated quorum disruptions during proceedings.
The decision came after Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq ordered Afridi’s removal from the House, stating that his behavior had crossed acceptable parliamentary limits. According to Beyond Time News, the ruling marked one of the strongest disciplinary actions taken during the current legislative session.
Speaker Orders Removal After Alleged Misconduct
The session turned tense when Speaker Ayaz Sadiq accused Afridi of physically and verbally misbehaving with National Assembly staff and security officials.
He stated that the PTI lawmaker “raised his hand” against staff members and also acted rudely toward police personnel and the DG Media. The Speaker declared such conduct “unacceptable” inside the House.
Following the ruling, the Speaker instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Afridi from the chamber. He also warned that the lawmaker would not receive any parliamentary allowances during the suspension period.
Afridi was further barred from receiving travel allowances or daily subsistence payments for the entire budget session.
Motion Passed by Majority Vote
Lawmaker Farah Naz Akbar moved a formal motion seeking Afridi’s suspension. The National Assembly approved the motion through a majority vote.
According to Beyond Time News, the approval reflected support from the treasury benches for strict disciplinary action in response to repeated disruptions and alleged misconduct.
Before leaving the chamber, the Speaker directly instructed Afridi to exit the House. He warned that if the lawmaker refused, security personnel would escort him out forcibly. Afridi eventually left the proceedings.
Quorum Disruptions Stall Proceedings
The session began under Speaker Ayaz Sadiq but quickly faced disruption when Afridi raised a quorum objection at the start of proceedings.
A member count was conducted, and the House was found to be lacking quorum. As a result, the sitting was temporarily adjourned.
Later, proceedings resumed after quorum was restored. However, Afridi again raised the issue of quorum, triggering further interruptions.
During a third attempt, the quorum was found complete, but the Speaker refused to entertain repeated objections.
“A quorum cannot be pointed out every half hour,” Sadiq remarked, adding that parliamentary rules must be respected by all members.
According to Beyond Time News, repeated quorum challenges have become a recurring feature of recent National Assembly sessions, contributing to delays in legislative business.
Heated Exchange Inside the House
Tensions escalated further when PTI members attempted to intervene during proceedings.
Barrister Gohar requested the floor, but the Speaker refused, stating that Afridi’s conduct could not be overlooked if party members continued to support him without addressing the issue.
The exchange highlighted ongoing political friction between the government and opposition benches during the budget session.
Passage of Telecom Amendment Bill
Despite disruptions, the National Assembly continued its legislative agenda and passed the Pakistan Telecommunication Re-Organisation (Amendment) Bill 2025.
The bill was presented by Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja and approved by majority vote.
An amendment introduced by government lawmaker Huma Akhtar Chughtai was also passed. The amendment was later explained by the IT minister, who said it revised the retirement age limit for the appellate tribunal judge.
According to Beyond Time News, the bill is part of broader reforms aimed at updating Pakistan’s digital and telecom regulatory framework.
Opposition Raises Concerns Over Amendments
PPP lawmaker Syed Naveed Qamar also presented three amendments. He warned that disputes could arise over right-of-way issues related to 5G fibre cable installation.
He proposed that provincial and relevant authorities should be empowered to resolve such disputes. He also suggested setting limits on fines imposed in related cases.
According to Beyond Time News, the amendments reflect growing concerns over infrastructure deployment challenges as Pakistan expands its 5G readiness.
Read more:PTI Walks Out of National Assembly Over Denial of Meeting With Imran Khan
PTI’s Political Response
Outside the assembly, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar criticized the government’s handling of parliamentary affairs.
He said the upcoming budget would not be “people-friendly” and argued that inflation and high utility costs were already burdening citizens.
He accused the government of preparing a budget based on “fake figures” and demanded relief for the public.
Gohar also stated that PTI’s parliamentary party would meet to decide its strategy for upcoming sessions. He added that ensuring quorum was the government’s responsibility and noted that a single day of parliamentary proceedings costs around Rs60 million.
Broader Parliamentary Tensions Continue
The suspension of Iqbal Afridi adds to ongoing tensions in the National Assembly, where frequent disruptions, opposition protests, and procedural disputes have slowed legislative progress during the budget session.
According to Beyond Time News, parliamentary observers note that improving discipline and cooperation between political parties remains essential for smoother functioning of the House during critical financial legislation periods.
FAQs
Why was PTI MNA Iqbal Afridi suspended?
He was suspended over allegations of misconduct with parliamentary staff, police personnel, and media officials.
Who ordered his removal from the National Assembly?
Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq ordered his removal and suspension for the entire budget session.
Did the National Assembly approve the suspension?
Yes, the motion for suspension was passed by a majority vote.
What other issues disrupted the session?
Repeated quorum calls by Afridi led to multiple interruptions and temporary adjournments.
What major bill was passed during the session?
The Pakistan Telecommunication Re-Organisation (Amendment) Bill 2025 was approved.
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