Islamabad: Pakistani opposition lawmakers and members of the treasury benches on Friday engaged in fisticuffs as Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh presented the government's new budget in Parliament amidst uproar.
Members of the main opposition PML-N, who were protesting against power cuts and corruption during Shaikh's speech, scuffled with lawmakers of the ruling Pakistan People's Party in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament.
Several lawmakers were seen raining blows on each other after a heated exchange. Leaders of both parties intervened to end the fracas.
Among those involved in the incident were former minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of the PML-N and Mujtaba Kharal and Javed Iqbal Waraich of the PPP.
Images of the lawmakers exchanging blows were beamed live by state-run PTV and relayed by other news channels.
Dozens of opposition lawmakers surrounded the Finance Minister as he started his speech before they were pushed back by PPP members.
The opposition heckled and shouted throughout Shaikh's speech. "Go Zardari go", "End load shedding", "This government is stealing electricity", "Corrupt rulers should quit" and "People want electricity, water and gas" were among the slogans shouted by the opposition.
Members of both the opposition and treasury benches waved placards and banners.
The Finance Minister unveiled a budget of Rs 2,960 billion for 2012-13.
Pakistan has been hit by a massive energy shortfall that has resulted in prolonged power cuts across the country. The outages have triggered protests in several parts of the country, especially Punjab province that is ruled by the PML-N.
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