Heated Exchange Between Speaker and Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman in Balochistan Assembly; Suspension Later Revoked
Quetta: A heated confrontation took place in the Balochistan Assembly on Thursday between Speaker Captain (R) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai and Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, a member of the Haq Do Tehreek, during which the lawmaker was briefly suspended from the House before his membership was restored later the same day.
The incident occurred during the assembly session when Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman and National Party MPA Mir Rehmat Baloch attempted to speak on a point of order. The situation escalated as multiple members tried to intervene simultaneously, turning the proceedings into disorder. In protest over not being given the floor, MPA Rehmat Saleh Baloch staged a walkout.
Tensions further intensified when a verbal exchange took place between Speaker Achakzai and Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman. The Speaker remarked that he would run the House according to parliamentary rules, warning that resistance to procedure would create difficulties. In response, Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman accused the Speaker of staging “drama in the name of rulings.”
The Speaker responded by stating that as custodian of the House, he could not tolerate disrespect toward the Chair, terming the remarks as disrespect to the assembly. Provincial Minister Mir Zahoor Buledi suggested that a training session be arranged for lawmakers on parliamentary etiquette and speaking rules.
Following the exchange, the Speaker suspended Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman for the remainder of the day’s session and directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort him out of the House, after which he left the chamber.
However, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti intervened and requested the Speaker to recall the suspended lawmaker. The Speaker then sought the opinion of the House, which voted in favour of allowing him back into the session. The Chief Minister also expressed regret over the situation and assured the Speaker of cooperation in maintaining order.
Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman was subsequently invited back into the assembly, and proceedings resumed.
