Shelling at OGDCL workers: Opposition senators put PM on notice

Warn they will stand against govt, if PM does not mend way of governance


Our Correspondent October 30, 2014

ISLAMABAD: A united opposition in the Senate on Wednesday put Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on notice and warned that if he did not mend his way of governance, the opposition would be seen standing against the government.

“I want to put prime minister on notice. If you do not change the style of taking decisions on your own, do not end corruption, do not hold independent inquiry into Nandipur power project and LNG deal then you will find us against the government,” said Leader of Opposition Senator Aitzaz Ahsan.

Opposition’s protest came after the administration used teargas against the workers of the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), who were trying to reach the Parliament House to register their protest against OGDCL’s privatisation plan.

Later, the opposition walked out of the house when State Minister for Interior Baleeghur Rehman tried to clarify the situation and claimed that the protesters were not teargassed.

“We will not end our walkout until the State Minister — since Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar is absent — announces that arrested workers of OGDCL will be freed unconditionally, that the government will make arrangements for treatment of the injured and that the protesters will be allowed to stage their demonstrations in front of the Parliament House,” demanded Ahsan.

Earlier, all parties in the opposition opposed OGDCL privatisation and said it was a profitable entity.

Senator Raza Rabbani said: “It is a fight between two classes, the government is of capitalists and they are against the poor [OGDCL] workers.”  Rabbani warned the government that opposition, after consultation, might go for a sit-in in front of the parliament against privatisation.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30th, 2014.

COMMENTS (1)

MA | 9 years ago | Reply

since when "opposition" means not standing against your counterparty?

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