PTI submits privilege motion against PML-N lawmakers in National Assembly

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday moved a privilege motion in the National Assembly against the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after chaos broke out in the lower house between the lawmakers of both parties.

"We the undersigned (signatures attached) wish to move a privilege motion against PML-N MNAs, including Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Mian Mannan, Capt Safdar and others, who on January 26, 2017 during the NA session physically moved towards the Opposition side and took physical aim at PTI MNAs as well as hurling abuses against them," the Express Tribune quoted the motion moved by the PTI as saying.

"We feel the violent attack led by PML-N MNAs with a deliberate march towards the Opposition as well as Mian Mannan's obscene gestures constitute a breach of our privilege as MNAs," the motion added.

The scuffle broke out when the government and opposition lawmakers exchanged blows and pushed one another after the opposition MNAs criticisised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for making contradictory statements about his family members' businesses and London properties.

The stir began when Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah requested Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to take up the privilege motion against the Prime Minister.

PTI's parliamentary leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi's pressed the Speaker to take up opposition's privilege motion against Sharif for his allegedly contradictory statements on the Panama Papers issue.

During Qureshi's address in the house, his party lawmakers and members of the treasury reportedly indulged in sloganeering against each other.

The exchange of remarks turned into a scuffle when Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi rushed towards Qureshi's seat in an aggressive manner.

The PTI lawmakers intercepted Abbasi, who was also followed by a few other PML-N members.

Sergeants at arms were called to intervene.

The Speaker suspended the proceedings for some time after the incident.

At the same time, the entire opposition left the house in protest and did not return.