On Monday, the National Assembly witnessed a heated exchange between the government and the opposition when PTI legislators staged a protest and went out after the opposition leader was denied the floor before the questioning time began.

The session, chairman of the NA speaker Ayaz Sadiq, began with routine procedure, including the announcement of the chairman’s panel.

However, chaos broke out when the NA leader of the opposition Omar Ayub was denied permission to speak, causing PTI legislators to raise slogans and downside desks before going out in protest.

An opposition member later pointed out a shortage of quorum, but an employee number confirmed that the government had the demanded numbers and that the session could continue.

As the session began to sow opposition members, legislators discussed several questions, including the Indus Waters Treaty, with the government that revealed that India has been pushing for changes in the 65-year-old agreement and ignored Pakistan’s repeated diplomatic efforts.

Concerns were also raised about falling water levels in larger reservoirs with official figures indicating critically low storage in Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma Dams.

On the Indus Waters Treaty, parliamentary secretary of water resources revealed Rana Ansar that India is pushing for changes in the agreement.

PPP Laws Nafisa Shah asked what has been Pakistan’s attitude. Ansar replied that Islamabad has been engaged in correspondence with New Delhi since March 2023, but has received no answer.

Meanwhile, the speaker expressed dissatisfaction at the Ministry of Water Resources so as not to provide answers to parliamentary queries.

The speaker demanded a written explanation from the officials concerned and called the secretary of water resources after PPP leader Naveed Qamar insisted that the Minister should have been present in parliament to answer questions.

In the session, Jui-F leader Maulana asked Abdul Ghafoor Haideri about the status of Gwadar Port. Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Darshan replied that the port is fully operational.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health presented a written response and revealed that 74,619 HIV cases have been registered throughout the country. It said there are currently 94 anti-roviral therapy (art) centers nationwide for the treatment of HIV.

PPP legislator Sharmila Faruqi raised concerns about Sindh’s long-standing water shortage, especially in Badin, Thatta and Tharparkar.

She questioned claims that Punjab would award her share to the Cholistan Canal project, stating that Sindh is already receiving less than his proper proportion of water affecting agriculture in the province.

Faruqi cited reports indicating a 40% decrease in rainfall from July to December aggravated the crisis. She urged the government to convene a meeting of the Council for Common Interest (CCI) to tackle the distribution of water resources among provinces.

From the start, the speaker announced the panel with chairmen, including Bilal Azhar Kayani, Abdul Qadir Patel, Romina Khurshid Alam, Syed Waseem Hussain, Shahida Akhtar Ali and Sher Ali Arbab.

During the session, the government submitted income tax (amendment) Regulation 2024. Later, the session was postponed to 1 p.m. 14 Tuesday.