National ( The cow news digital ) A dispute erupted in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly after a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker was stopped from speaking during a session, triggering a protest inside the house.
The incident occurred during a routine assembly meeting chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati. PML-N member Jalaal Khan attempted to speak on issues related to the tobacco sector and sought permission to present his suggestions. However, the Speaker declined to allow him to address the house at that moment, leading to a heated exchange.
Jalaal Khan protested the decision, arguing that he only wanted to present constructive proposals regarding tobacco-related matters. He objected to being denied the opportunity to speak and termed the action unfair.
In response, Speaker Babar Saleem Swati stated that the member’s conduct was not appropriate, which led to restrictions on his right to speak. He emphasized that parliamentary rules and decorum must be maintained during proceedings and that disruptive behavior would not be tolerated.
Another lawmaker, Ahmad Karim Kundi, intervened and suggested that while misconduct should be addressed, discussions on important policy matters such as tobacco should not be dismissed outright. He urged the chair to allow proper debate on relevant issues.
The Speaker later clarified that the matter would be reviewed in a meeting and a decision would be taken subsequently. He added that the issue raised by the member falls within committee and constituency matters and should be handled through appropriate channels.
Speaker Swati reiterated that parliamentary debate must be based on merit and discipline, and that inappropriate language or behavior cannot be permitted in the assembly. He stated that any restrictions imposed were temporary and would be reconsidered after review.
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The situation briefly created tension in the house, but proceedings continued after the exchange. The Speaker maintained that all members would be given fair opportunities to speak, provided they adhere to assembly rules and maintain decorum.
The incident highlights ongoing friction in provincial legislative proceedings, where procedural rules and members’ rights to speak often come into conflict during heated sessions.
