The warning came in the wake of back to back statements of two federal ministers, Zahid Hamid [in National Assembly] and Ahsan Iqbal [in Senate], after which the former was banned from participation in the proceedings while the latter was asked to apologise for a mocking reply to a question of Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
The bossy attitude of ministers, about which the opposition had complained several times, once again led to unceremonious conclusion of Senate proceedings as the opposition staged walkout and Deputy Chairman Sabir Baloch adjourned proceedings due to lack of quorum.
“The government has not learnt any lesson and there is no change in attitude of ministers despite assurances of prime minister …the opposition will not come to bail you [government] out every time,” warned leader of the opposition Aitzaz Ahsan.
Earlier, PML-Q had questioned the feasibility report of the Metro Bus, saying “how many commuters would benefit every day from Metro Bus project for Rawalpindi and Islamabad?”
In response Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said “the number of commuters would be sufficient enough to get security deposits of many contesting candidates confiscated in next elections.” “This is not acceptable,” said Senator Raza Rabbani that followed desk thumping of opposition benches.
“We supported you for the sake of democracy but you wanted to weaken the opposition by luring some with positions in federal cabinet… one day they would all be against you,” said Haji Adeel from the ANP. “The minister has given a mocking reply and proceedings would not move forward unless he gives appropriate reply or offers apology,” said Aitzaz Ahsan.
In his defence, Iqbal said “I have made a political statement in response to a political question but there is no contempt.” Shujaat had termed the metro bus a jangla bus, a term used by opposition.
When Leader of the House Raja Zafarul Haq rose up to offer apology, the opposition questioned: “Why is it you who has to apologise every time?”
However, the matter was settled after Chaudhry Shujaat proposed that the minister might come up with a reply in next proceedings.
Earlier, the deputy chairman took exception to Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid’s statement that “senate is setting wrong traditions” over private member bill passed by Senate, which has reached the National Assembly, and banned him from participation in the proceedings.
However, the chairman summoned record of statement from the lower house on request of Raja Zafarul Haq, endorsed by Aitzaz Ahsan, and postponed the ruling.
Raza Rabbani highlighted the statement and said it was a breach of Senate’s privilege and the minister had made wrong statement that the bill was passed due to opposition’s majority in the Senate. Members from PPP, BNP-A, PML-Q and ANP demanded for ban on Zahid Hamid.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 29th, 2014.
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