Some ministers, including Minister for Religious Affairs Khursheed Ahmed Shah, and several PML-Q lawmakers deterred the onslaught of more than 27 members of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) when they surrounded the Finance Minister and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. The ministers and PML-Q lawmakers forming an effective shield around the prime minister and finance minister''s seats.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, Imtiaz Safdar Warraich, Jamshad Dasti, Nadeem Afzal Gondal, Begum Nasim Akhtar Chaudhry and other were prominent among lawmakers who formed the cordon around the Finance Minister and Prime Minister. The protesting opposition lawmakers, carrying placards, started raising slogans against the government as soon as the Finance Minister started delivering the budget speech in the Lower House of Parliament. The opposition lawmakers were so noisy that it was hard to clearly listen to the speech of the Finance Minister in the House.
When PML-N members, including Malik Shkeel Awan, pushed back two lawmakers of the ruling party, a scuffle broke out. Awan and PPP''s Javed Iqbal Warraich were seen trading punches on the floor of the house. Afterwards other members of opposition and ruling parties joined the fray, trading blows and slaps, grabbing and pushing each other. But Syed Khursheed Shah of the PPP and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi tried to cool down tempers.
During the PML-N protest, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was not in forefront. He kept watching, giving instruction to members of his party. When the Finance Minster started his budget speech, the opposition members gathered in front of the first row of treasury benches and started raising slogans "Shame, Shame, Qaum Bhooki Mar Gai Hai People''s Party. This government is stealing electricity...corrupt rulers should quit...let the poor live...Muk Gaya Show Tera, Go Gilani, Go...Musharraf Ka Jo Yaar Hay Ghaddar Hay." (Shame, Shame, people are starving People''s Party...Your show has ended, Go Gilani, Go). PML-N members continued to protest in the Lower House of Parliament until the Monday session was adjourned.