Resolution tabled in National Assembly to expel French ambassador

According to details, the resolution was moved by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) lawmaker Amjid Ali Khan who condemned the publication of blasphemous caricatures by French magazine Charlie Hebdo in September 2020.

It further condemned the French ambassador’s encouragement of the elements hurting the sentiments of the hundreds of millions of Muslims in the name of freedom of expression.

The resolution called for a debate in the lower house of parliament on the expulsion of France ambassador and raising the matter with Muslim countries to devise a joint strategy.

It further said detailed discussions on the matter should be held with all Muslim countries and the isseu should be raised on international forums.

The PTI lawmaker also sought the formation of a special committee to consider the resolution. This motion was adopted.

Asad Qaiser and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi exchange harsh words

During the parliamentary proceedings, Speaker NA and former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi exchanged harsh words.

The government’s request to form a special committee in this regard was opposed by the opposition following which Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khaqan Abbasi reached the rostrum area and lashed out at Speaker Asad Qaiser.

“Do you have no shame?” asked Khaqan Abbasi to which Asad Qaiser asked him sternly to mind his language.

“I will hit you with a shoe,” said Khaqan.

“I will do the same. Kindly stay within your limits and continue speaking,” replied speaker.

Later speaking during the session, Khaqan Abbasi said accused Asad Qaiser of making the issue of Namoos-i-Risalat controversial, when the entire country was unanimous over it.

"This resolution should have been unanimous. You adjourned the session and called it today. Your government did not bother to consult opposition. If you wanted to table a resolution, the right way was to talk to the opposition,” said PML-N’s MNA.

PM should have been in the parliament today, says Ahsan Iqbal

PML-N’s senior leader Ahsan Iqbal said that Prime Minister Imran Khan should have been in the parliament today.

“All the important ministers including Interior and religious ministers are preset here yet this resolution was tabled through a private member,” he said.

JUI-F member says government didn’t even bother to consult opposition before calling an emergency session

Maulana Asad Mahmood, a member of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, said that government didn’t even bother taking opposition into confidence before calling an emergency session.

“You are the Speaker of the house and not of the government. The conduct of the Speaker is biased. It is up to the government to bring a unanimous resolution together with the opposition,” he said.

Speaker Asad Qaiser said that the resolution has not been passed yet and the opposition can give suggestions over it.