Pakistani MPs stage anti-govt protest

Opposition lawmakers in Pakistan Thursday marched on the President House to protest against the government policies to overcome the power shortage and check hike in the prices. They walked from the parliament house to the nearby president's residence and staged a sit-in for some time. Besides MPs of the main opposition Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), several members of other opposition groups in the parliament joined the protest march. Earlier, the opposition MPs walked out of the National Assembly after a heated exchange between opposition and treasury members. A ruling party member from Balochistan province also joined the opposition’s rally and criticized policies of his own government. Around 150-200 workers of PML-N made their way from parliament to the presidency and staged a sit-in there. Members of Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI-F), Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) Like-minded group and Pakistan Peoples Party – Sherpao (PPP-S) also supported the PML-N. The opposition lawmakers said the country is facing nearly 7000 MW of power shortfall but the government has failed to solve the problems despite the protest. Leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told the protesters that the government has miserably failed to address to the people’s genuine problems. He also alleged that the ministers are involved in corruption. The opposition were holding placards and banners, inscribed with anti-government slogans. They also chanted slogans against the government. Riot police were deployed outside the building but they did not intervene. The demonstrators later dispersed peacefully. Earlier the opposition and treasury members exchanged hot words in the parliament and the ruling party MPs criticized the opposition’s agitation.