Budget debate in Sindh Assembly marred by treasury-opposition ruckus.

KARACHI -- The Sindh Assembly on Monday continued to witness ruckus and exchange of unparliamentary words between the lawmakers belonging to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Peoples Party during the second day of debate on the provincial budget as most speakers hurled derogatory remarks at each other's leadership.

The situation took an ugly turn when PTI's Dua Bhutto, who is also wife of Opposition Leader Haleem Adil Sheikh, took a jibe at the PPP male members during her budget speech for 'physically manhandling' her in the budget session.

'My dupatta was taken of that day, only those who do not respect their own mothers or sisters can do this,' she said while pointing to the PPP members.

As several PPP female members rose to interrupt her, she asked Deputy Speaker Rehana Leghari to make those 'goats' silent.

'Whosoever took off my dupatta had taken off his sister's and Bakhtawar Bhutto's dupatta,' she snapped, inviting a strong protest from the treasury benches.

Verbal brawl began when PTI's Dua Bhutto accused male PPP lawmakers of manhandling her in previous sitting

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla rose in agitation asking the PTI lawmaker to tender an apology. 'This is to too much. This is not the way, she should take back her remarks and apologies,' Mr Chawla demanded and added that the PTI must not drag leadership or else the matter would go too far.

While Dua Bhutto continued to criticise the PPP lawmakers, the deputy speaker switched off her microphone and said that leadership of any party should not be criticised. 'Do not name the leadership. I will not allow this,' the chair said while giving floor to PPP's Kulsoom Chandio. As Ms Chandio started to give her view on budget, the PTI members interrupt her chanting slogans 'Mobile Chor' (mobile phone thief).

Speaking on the budget, Energy Minister Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh said that the project of laying railway link for transporting Thar coal to other power plants of the country would start soon.

He reiterated Sindh's long-standing demand that under Article 158 of the Constitution, the province has the first right to use the gas it produces.

Call to welcome 'positive aspects' of budget

While most of the lawmakers delivered political speeches instead of forwarding suggestions and proposals, Mangla Sharma of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-P said that the budget was being praised and criticised by the members from the two sides of the aisle as per 'tradition'.

'But the...