Islamabad: Opposition parties in Pakistan, enraged over circulation of Constitution copies containing controversial amendments promulgated by President Pervez Musharraf, continued to stall Parliament proceedings on March 7, forcing the second adjournment of the House in as many days.

Speaker of National Assembly Ameer Hussain adjourned the House till March 10, as pandemonium prevailed and Opposition lawmakers vociferously demanded that the Constitutional amendments be withdrawn.

This was the second time that the House was adjourned during the past two days. On March 5, the Islamist alliance Muthahida Majlis Amal (MMA) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto paralysed the House after government circulated copies of the Constitution containing the amendments promulgated by Musharraf in form of Legal Framework Order (LFO).

Stormy scenes were witnessed in the 342-member House, as Opposition members paralysed the proceedings, saying they would not recognise the LFO unless it was ratified by Parliament.

The LFO legalised the April 2002 referendum, in which Musharraf got elected for a five-year term and arrogated to himself sweeping powers to dismiss Parliament.

As the Opposition refused to relent, the ruling pro-military Pakistan Muslim League- Q said it would hold talks with the Opposition, including MMA, to iron out differences on the LFO.

"The government would open a month-long dialogue with the combined Opposition parties over the amendments," Federal Information Minister Sheikh Rashid said on March 6 after a Cabinet meeting.

PTI