NA witnesses rumpus as PPP, journalists stage walkouts

• PPP walks out again over Maryam Nawaz’s remarks amid rift with PML-N
• Journalists protest police raid at National Press Club, demand action
• Foreign Minister Dar urges reconciliation, says leadership will resolve disputes

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Friday witnessed twin boycotts as the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) staged a walkout against Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s remarks while journalists also left the press gallery in protest against a police raid on the National Press Club (NPC).

The PPP — a coalition partner of the ruling PML-N — has been visibly agitated by Maryam Nawaz’s statements amid a widening rift over flood compensation and water rights. Journalists, on the other hand, voiced outrage over Thursday’s raid by Islamabad police at the NPC during which media workers were allegedly manhandled.

سابق اسپیکر قومی اسمبلی و رکن قومی اسمبلی اسد قیصر کا اظہار خیال#NASession @AsadQaiserPTI pic.twitter.com/7fTtDelUGV

— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) October 3, 2025

Shortly after the NA session began, PPP leader Naveed Qamar reminded the House that the party had already protested and walked out in the previous sitting. “The government held talks with us but nothing has changed on the ground,” he said. “We cannot be a part of this House until this matter is resolved. So, we are walking out today.”

In response, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged reconciliation and appealed to Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain to engage PPP leaders. As Dar continued his speech, some PPP members were seen returning to the House, drawing applause. The minister expressed gratitude, adding that party leadership on both sides would work to resolve the dispute.

This was PPP’s second walkout in less than a week, the first having taken place on September 30 over Maryam’s scathing remarks. The row, initially triggered by disagreements on flood relief, has since escalated to water distribution on the Indus River. Maryam had advised the PPP to “keep its advice to itself,” prompting the Sindh-based party to boycott both National Assembly and Senate proceedings.

Earlier this week, senior leaders from the PML-N and PPP met in Islamabad to defuse tensions. At the meeting, PPP representatives urged Maryam to “rethink her tone” on sensitive issues like water rights. It was agreed that the matter would be escalated to PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and the Punjab chief minister for resolution.

Journalists’ walkout

Simultaneously, members of the Parliamentary Reporters Association of Pakistan (PRA) also staged a walkout from the press gallery to protest Thursday’s police action at the NPC. PRA President MB Soomro and Secretary Naveed Akbar led the protest.

In a statement, the PRA condemned the raid, calling the NPC “home to journalists” that had been “attacked by the police.” It added that such incidents reflected an “undemocratic mindset” and warned against the growing trend of violence against media workers.

Responding to the boycott, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq asked treasury members to open dialogue with journalists. Public Affairs Minister Rana Mubashir Iqbal, State Minister for Law Barrister Aqeel Malik, State Minister for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, and State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry later visited the press lounge.

Talal strongly condemned the raid, assured solidarity, and informed journalists that both the law minister and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been briefed on their concerns. On these assurances, journalists agreed to postpone their boycott.