Fahim got front-row seat after walkout threat

[LRE]

Fahim got front-row seat after walkout threat



Friday, September 12, 2008
By our correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Senior PPP leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim’s walkout during Asif Zardari’s swearing-in ceremony was averted after his sitting arrangement was changed according to his political status in the Aiwan-e-Sadr’s Darbar Hall.

As Fahim came in for the oath-taking ceremony, he was led to the second row of the hall, a participant told The News. The Makhdoom became angry over putting him in the second row and decided to walk out in protest against not being provided with a seat in the front row keeping in view his highest position in the PPP-Parliamentarians, the ruling party. His ire multiplied after seeing a federal minister, hailing from Sindh, sitting in the first row.

As Fahim was about to leave the place, organisers brought it to the notice of higher authorities, who immediately arranged a seat in the front row. This calmed down the respected Makhdoom of Hala.

Many PPP leaders and others, who were organising and finalising the arrangements for the swearing-in ceremony, spent several hours in discussing and deciding as to who should be allotted seats in the first row. Finally, the front line was made circular to accommodate the swelling number of VVIPs.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=135254