Lawmakers surprise KP Assembly speaker by bringing hammers in protest

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lawmakers surprised all on Monday by turning up at the provincial assembly holding hammers as part of their long-running protest against the speaker.

The MPAs banged hammers on their desks, registering their protest against KP Assembly Speaker Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani’s behaviour. Ghani, on the other hand, summoned security guards, as well as police personnel, and directed them to seize the lawmakers’ tools.

However, when the MPAs refused to hand over their hammers and whistles, the speaker adjourned the session.

Standing on seats as protest

Opposition lawmakers on February 25 had taken to standing on their seats in the KP Assembly as their protest against Ghani’s “partial and indifferent attitude” entered its fifth day.

They had stood up on their seats in the assembly, chanted slogans, and banged their hands on desks as PPP’s Nighat Orakzai had whistled to record her protest, despite Ghani asking her not to do so. Amid the chaos and tension, security staff rushed to surround the speaker’s dais.

In spite of the ongoing tensions, the assembly had managed to approve some of the proposed bills while opposition MPAs continued slamming their desks.