PPP’s Qadir Mandokhail’s entry barred in tomorrow’s NA session

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaisar on Thursday banned the entry of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Qadir Mandokhail for Friday’s session of the National Assembly for his misconduct with him during the joint sitting of Parliament.

In a letter addressed to Mandokhail, the additional secretary legislation informed the PPP lawmaker that the speaker has taken a “very serious note” of his behaviour during Wednesday’s joint sitting of Parliament.

The MNA has been informed that his acts are in violation of rule 30 of Procedure and Conduct of Business in NA, 2007, and rule 33 of the Joint Sittings Rules 1973.

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The rules bar a member from interrupting another lawmaker via disorderly expression or noises or in any other manner. It also bars a member from chanting slogans, displaying banners or placards, throw and tearing documents and reports. It also states that a member cannot approach the speaker’s dais in a threatening manner.

“Due to your above stated acts, the honourable speaker is of the view that you have eroded and disregarded his authority,” said the notification, adding that the action also obstructed the “smooth running” of the joint session of Parliament.

The notification stated that because of the disorderly conduct the speaker has ordered the expulsion of Mandokhail from the National Assembly for Friday’s sitting. The MNA has also been directed not to “enter the precincts” of the National Assembly on November 19.

On Wednesday, during the proceedings of the joint sitting of Parliament Speaker Qaiser and Mandokhail had an argument. Following this, the speaker warned the MNA to speak politely.

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However, when Mandokhail didn’t pay heed to the warning, the speaker directed security to escort the PPP MNA out of Parliament.

“Stay within your limits; I suspend you [from the session]” said Qaiser while addressing Mandokhail.

“Get him out,” he ordered the sergeant at arms.

Later on, the sergeant at arms kept the speaker shielded by standing in front of the speaker’s dais.