Islamabad, Pakistan – Web Desk: Proceedings of the National Assembly of Pakistan were disrupted after the government failed to secure approval for the Frontier Corps (FC) Reorganization Amendment Bill following a walkout by lawmakers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P).
The session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah in Islamabad, was adjourned indefinitely after the house failed to maintain quorum during proceedings.
The disruption began shortly after the question hour when opposition lawmaker Iqbal Afridi pointed out the lack of quorum. A headcount confirmed that the required number of members was not present, forcing the deputy speaker to temporarily suspend the session.
When the assembly reconvened later and quorum was restored, Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry introduced the Pakistan Airports Authority Amendment Bill 2026 and the Islamabad Local Government Ordinance 2026.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Secretary Farah Akbar presented the National Heritage and Culture Bill 2025, which was passed after proposed amendments by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam were rejected.
However, tensions escalated when the government attempted to present the FC Reorganization Amendment Bill 2026 through a supplementary agenda. Opposition members surrounded the speaker’s dais and demanded another quorum check.
Initially, the deputy speaker continued the legislative process and a few clauses of the bill were approved. However, opposition members insisted on a formal headcount, which ultimately revealed that quorum was once again incomplete.
During the protest, MQM-P lawmakers staged a walkout from the assembly in protest against the recent change of the Sindh governor. The party expressed dissatisfaction with the federal government’s decision and accused it of not taking MQM into confidence.
Following the walkout, the house was unable to maintain quorum and the session had to be adjourned indefinitely, preventing the approval of the FC amendment bill.
Government ministers, including Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, attempted to persuade MQM lawmakers to return to the house, but the efforts were unsuccessful.
MQM leader Ameenul Haq said the party decided to walk out because it felt the government was not consulting MQM on key political decisions.
After the session, MQM lawmakers informally told reporters outside Parliament House that the party may have no option left but to reconsider its role in the ruling coalition.
