THE scenes witnessed in the National Assembly on Monday were nothing short of shameful.
Members from the government and opposition benches hurled abuses, interrupted speeches and ultimately came to physical blows — behaviour completely unbecoming of elected representatives. Instead of showcasing the maturity and seriousness expected from elected representatives, the session descended into a spectacle of political immaturity and aggression.
The first scuffle erupted between PTI MNA Iqbal Afridi and PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi, amid loud protests and chants from both government and opposition members. The atmosphere further deteriorated when PTI’s Nisar Jatt exchanged heated words with PPP’s Agha Rafiullah over remarks concerning PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s recent foreign visit. What started as verbal barbs soon turned into physical confrontation, prompting the sergeant-at-arms and his team to intervene only to be met with abuse and reported manhandling by some lawmakers. Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, who has thus far conducted proceedings with commendable grace and firmness, was forced to suspend the session. His remarks this is a place for debate, not brawls captured the frustration and dismay of all those who believe in the sanctity of parliamentary democracy. He was right to remind the house that Parliament is a sacred institution and such behaviour not only tarnishes its image but also damages the broader democratic process. This is, unfortunately, not the first time that Parliament has witnessed such disgraceful behaviour. Each occurrence leaves a deeper scar on the credibility of the institution. It reinforces public disillusionment with politics. The public already views politicians with a skeptical eye, questioning their seriousness and commitment to national service. When their elected representatives behave no better than street brawlers, it only strengthens the perception that personal egos have overtaken public duty. It is imperative for all members, regardless of party affiliation, to maintain decorum within the House. There must be room for disagreement — even strong disagreement — but never at the cost of dignity and respect. Parliament should be a place where differences are resolved through dialogue, not fists. Political differences must not turn into personal enmity. Mutual respect is essential and every member must learn to listen, even when they disagree. Political stability and public confidence can only be restored through responsible behaviour. Parliament must set that example — not violate it.
