ISLAMABAD: 

Invaded: The parliament building in Islamabad

Beset by militancy and economic woes, Pakistani lawmakers now face a new challenge an infestation of rats that are chewing through electrical and telephone wires in parliament.

The rodents are causing computer problems and terrifying members of the house, officials said.

Parliament staff fought a "rat crisis" throughout a two-week closed-door sitting of the two houses of parliament this month focusing on the US-led "war on terror".

"There had been instances when rats racing across the floor of the house made members jump from their seats," a newspaper here reported. "The experience has been particularly terrifying for female MPs and
staff members."

Parliamentary officials confirmed the infestation. "The rats come down and cripple our computer network.

Sometimes it becomes a problem to trace the affected wires," an official said.

He revealed that the rats had apparently found a "safe haven" in the false ceilings of the building.

"There are rat traps and sometimes we sprinkle rat poison, but the problem is not yet over," he added.