Senator Qasim Roonjho Resigns from BNP-M After Constitutional Vote

Break from Party Line Leads to Upper House Exit

Web EditorOctober 22, 2024

1 minute read

The National Assembly witnessed chaos on Tuesday as opposition members erupted in protest upon the arrival of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The session, chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, was marred by a commotion as the opposition lawmakers raised slogans and tore copies of the day’s agenda. Remaining Time -14:07 As the Prime Minister entered the assembly hall, opposition members not only staged a protest but also engaged in loud chanting, disrupting the proceedings. In response, government members countered with chants of “Sher Aaya, Sher Aaya,” further intensifying the scene. Amidst the uproar, Asiya Naz, a member of the opposition, presented a notice highlighting the ongoing gender disparity between male and female voters. She called attention to the persistent gap in voter turnout and representation. In response, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar addressed the issue, stating that the Election Commission of Pakistan was actively working to reduce the gender gap in voter registration. He assured that the government was providing full support to these efforts, with institutions like NADRA also playing a key role. According to Minister Tarar, the gender gap has reduced to 7% from previous levels. Despite the disruptions, the session continued, with both sides remaining at odds over the key issues being raised. — Senator Qasim Roonjho Resigns from BNP-M After Constitutional Vote

Islamabad-(Mudassar Iqbal): Senator Qasim Roonjho from the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) has formally stepped down from his Senate position.

Sources confirm that Roonjho, who broke from the BNP-M’s stance, submitted his resignation to the Senate secretary.

His resignation comes just a day after he, along with another party senator, voted in favor of constitutional amendments that have now been enacted into law, defying the official party line.

Roonjho, who also served as the BNP-M’s parliamentary leader in the Senate, along with fellow senator Naseema Ehsan, supported the 26th Constitutional Amendment, prompting BNP-M chief Akhtar Mengal to demand their resignations from the Upper House.

Earlier, acting BNP president Sajid Tareen had accused government officials of forcibly abducting Senator Roonjho, his son, and his driver. Tareen also expressed concern over the disappearance of Senator Naseema Ehsan’s husband and son, who were believed to have been taken as well.

In response to these developments, lawyers’ groups in Balochistan voiced their opposition to the constitutional amendments, alleging the establishment’s involvement in pushing through the changes, citing the “abductions” as evidence of coercion.

BNP-M leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal had recently resigned from the National Assembly in protest, leaving the party with only two senators.

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