One voice: Opposition parties demand census in March

PPP, PTI, PML-Q MPAs present charter of demands

LAHORE: The opposition alliance in the Punjab Assembly on Monday demanded that the government complete the local government election process.

The demand was made by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) after a meeting of their MPAs at the opposition chambers in the Punjab Assembly.

In a four-point charter of demands, the alliance also demanded that the government refrain from trying to influence the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The meeting was attended by MPAs from the PTI, the PPP and the PML-Q. JI’s Dr Syed Waseem Akhtar remained away citing personal commitments. Among other demands, the alliance called on the government to hold the census in March as per the announced schedule under the supervision of the armed forces. It also called on the government to allocate three-marla plots for families affected by the Orange Line Metro train project.

Leader of the Opposition Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed said that the government was not serious about completing the LG polls. “The government is diverting funds from districts governments for the orange line project. Rasheed also submitted an adjournment motion on Monday, alleging that the government had withdrawn funds worth Rs870 million form district governments. He also alleged that the government was delaying the census scheduled in March. “We condemns the remarks made by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Law Minister Rana Sanaullah. We believe in accountability. The government should not influence the [national] institution,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23^rd, 2016.