President Asif Zardari address to the joint session of Parliament, PTI backed members’ stage violent protest

ISLAMABAD, April 18 (SABAH): On the occasion of presidential address to the joint session of the Parliament, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) backed members while taking up picture of Imran Khan, raised slogans of Mr ten percent, Go Zardari Go, BB hum sharminda hain, tere katil zinda hen.

When PTI backed members took the play card near Asif Ali Zardari, there were chances of clash of PTI backed members and Pakistan People’s Party members but luckily clash was averted. On this occasion, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were also present.

PML-N supremo Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif and CM KPK Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur could not come to listen to the address of president. Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa also did not come. Eight Muslim League members encircled Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

According to details, for presidential address, the joint session of the Parliament was started at 4:16 PM with a delay of 16 minutes. Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gillani was also present on the occasion. When Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq invited President Zardari for addressing the joint session of the parliament then PTI backed members started slogans Go Zardari Go. In the gallery of guests, president, prime minister and chief minister of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan were present. Governors and chief ministers of other provinces were also present. Ambassadors of some countries were also present.

PTI supported members gathered round the speaker dice and raised slogans against the president due to which his address was not audible. PTI members were holding pictures of Imran Khan in their hands and were wearing PTI flags. Placards of expensive petrol, electricity and gas was also hoisted in front of the President. Some members were whistling. While gathering in front of the president, they raised slogans of Mr Ten percent, Mulk ki bemari aik Zardari, mandate thief and Go Shehbaz Go.

During the period, Jamshed Dasti took placard of Imran Khan picture and came in front of President Zardari and put placard there. To this member of PPP Abdul Qadir Patel and Agha Rafiullah became angry and exchanged harsh words while coming closer to PTI backed members due to which situation became intense.

The members were ready to fight one another. The president continued his address amid sloganeering. Opposition leaders Omar Ayub Khan, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan led the protest while JUI-F did not support them. The address was ended on 4:46 PM. After address, Asif Ali Zardari made victory symbol towards opposition members and smiled while going towards his own seat.