Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: With the arrival of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif in the Speaker’s gallery to listen the address of the Turkish president during a joint session of the parliament, the unruly parliamentarians observed complete discipline. Before the arrival of the army chief, the parliamentarians were chatting among themselves over the prevailing political situation of the country with reference to the Panamagate scandal being adjudicated in the apex court.

Pin drop silent was observed by the parliamentarians during the stay of the army chief in the House, with the representatives looking like obedient students. The parliamentarians often did not observe discipline and decorum of the august house and breached its rules while attending the session, therefore the speaker often had to issue strict warnings to undisciplined members to keep their seats.

This time, the presence of General Raheel Sharif compelled them to observe parliamentary decorum and the pliable parliamentarians obliged him by shunning their indiscipline. Mehmood Khan Achakzai, a critic of our security institution, showed no respect to the army chief and did not shake hands with him while sitting besides him during the joint session of the parliament.

Women parliamentarians from the treasury and opposition bench as well met with Raheel Sharif, who was the main focus during the whole joint session of the parliament. The group of women parliamentarians led by MNA Zeb Jafar and state minister Anusha Rehman went to the Speaker’s gallery to exchange pleasantries but security personnel deployed there prevented them from entering the gallery.

Within the precinct of the National Assembly House, the group of women parliamentarians exchanged pleasantries with the COAS by introducing themselves and highlighting their family background. Before the start of the joint session, Attorney General of Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf also briefed the treasury members of parliament about the ongoing proceeding of the Panamagate case in the Supreme Court and assured them the government would win the case as the physical body of the AG was looking very sound.

While delivering his welcome address to the visiting Turkeish President, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that victory of the Turkish people against unconstitutional forces was ray of hope for the whole world of democracy and its credit went to the inspiring leadership of Turkey. He said that Pakistan parliament also saluted the courage and valour of the people of Turkey who fought gallantly against the forces who wanted to overthrow the elected government.