National Assembly: Opposition Walks Out Over Use of Police Force against OGDCL Workers

Despite having shown unity over the past months against the sit-in protests in the capital, the National Assembly saw the opposition play its role when it walked out over Wednesday’s clash between police force and protesting OGDCL workers.

Initially opposition lawmakers staged a token walkout to register their protest against the use of force by police, which used tear gas and baton charge to disperse OGDCL workers who had gathered to protest against the government’s plan to privatize the state owned energy Company.

Khursheed Shah, leader of the opposition also spoke of “incompetent people” creating difficulties for the Prime Minister, and many believe his statement might have been in regards to the Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

Earlier this week, workers of the Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDCL) had gathered in Blue Area, Islamabad and wanted to walk towards the parliament to register their protest against the privatization plan. According to eye witnesses, police and protestors clashed at one point, after which baton charge was opened, tear gas was used and several of the protestors were arrested and injured.

Opposition leader Mr. Shah pointed out that the OGDCL was among the most profitable state owned enterprises, recording a profit of Rs. 124 billion last year, and should not be privatized.

Pakistan Peoples Party’s walkout was also joined by Balochistan National Party, Jamaat-i-Islami and Qaumi Watan Party; however, MQM was not part of the walkout due to their recent disagreements with the PPP.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=49721

Posted by Hunain Naseer on Oct 31 2014. Filed under Latest News, National. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.