Chaos during NA session as Shazia Marri’s speech sparks disturbance

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly session on Tuesday descended into chaos as Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Shazia Marri’s speech on water distribution and provincial rights triggered strong protests from MQM-P lawmakers.

Marri, while speaking on the budget, urged lawmakers to support Sindh in the matter of water distribution, saying, “If you are sons of Sindh, stand with us on the issue of canals.” She emphatically stated, “Karachi is and will remain a part of Sindh. You cannot separate Karachi or Hyderabad from Sindh.”

Her remarks prompted an immediate uproar from MQM-P members, with Asiya Ishaq approaching Marri’s seat in protest. The situation escalated into a heated exchange between PPP and MQM-P lawmakers, leading to a temporary disruption in proceedings.

Marri also criticised the government’s proposed 18percent tax on solar panels in the budget, declaring, “The PPP will not support this tax on solar energy.” She questioned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, asking, “Why is the government discouraging the use of solar energy when Pakistan is among the countries most affected by climate change?”

The session remained tense as the opposition and treasury benches clashed over both provincial rights and taxation policies.

MQM demands increase in minimum wage

Separately, MQM leader Aminul Haque demanded that the minimum wage be increased to Rs40,000, while expressing concerns over budget cuts in education and development projects.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Haque said, “Funds have been allocated for new educational projects in Karachi, but unfortunately, this time the budget for education and HEC has been reduced.” He urged the government to “increase HEC’s budget to Rs66 billion.”

Punjab raises workers’ minimum wage to Rs40,000

The MQM leader also criticised the Sindh government, stating, “The Sindh government should not show hostility towards Karachi.” He pointed out disparities in development funds, saying, “Unfortunately, very little money has been allocated for four key projects in Karachi.”

Haque also highlighted the neglect of Karachi’s infrastructure, comparing it to other provinces: “Metro projects were built by provincial governments in Peshawar, but Karachi’s projects have been ignored.”

Meanwhile, the National Assembly session saw sparse attendance, with most seats vacant and only one federal minister present.