PML-N blocks govt attempt to seek extension


Express June 05, 2010

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Friday blocked an attempt by the government to seek an extension for an ordinance in the National Assembly – setting the tone for what is expected to be a hostile agenda on the part of the opposition for the key budget session.

Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza had to defer a resolution seeking an extension in the Finance (Amendment) Ordinance 2010 for another four months.

PML-N lawmakers said that they were not issued prior notice to evaluate the ordinance and see whether its extension by parliament would be a violation of the 18th constitutional amendment.

The move comes at a time when the government is preparing to present the federal budget for the fiscal year 2010-11 that might include what the opposition terms to be “anti-public provisions.” But the government says that taking some “unpopular” economic decisions is unavoidable.

The PML-N, critics say, has so far been a “friendly opposition” – but is now expected to get tough with the government.

PML-N lawmakers forced Federal Labour Minister Khursheed Shah to agree, and the speaker deferred the resolution.

Replying to a notice moved by Sardar Muhammad Saifuddin Khosa and other lawmakers calling attention to an acute shortage of water in southern Punjab, Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf told the House that the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) was a decision-making body to ensure judicious distribution of water among the provinces.

He said that the federal government did not interfere in Irsa’s affairs.

PPP legislator Noor Alam alleged that new recruitments in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police were made in a non-transparent manner. Interior Minister Rehman Malik assured the House that a report on the issue would be sought from the provincial government.

MNA Rasheed Akbar Nawani expressed his concern at the security in the parliament lodges and demanded expulsion of aliens from the premises.

Earlier MNA Saira Afzal Tarar pointed to a lack of quorum in the House and the speaker had to suspend the proceedings for about 20 minutes.

Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza also announced the formation of a parliamentary committee to look into the circumstances under which the Islamabad police baton-charged lady health workers and teachers protesting outside the parliament building on Thursday.

The committee will comprise representatives from each political party represented in the lower house of parliament.

The speaker lamented use of force against protesters but added that nobody could be allowed to take the law into their hands.

Speaking on the issue, Interior Minister Rehman Malik told the House that police baton-charged the protesters after they attacked the police and burnt vehicles.

In a written reply to a question, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told the House that Saudi Arabia was highly valued in the region and Pakistan would welcome its role in resolving Pakistan-India conflicts.

Qureshi said that India never agreed to third-party mediation for resolving bilateral conflicts with Pakistan.

He said India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor had told the media in March 2010 that India considered Saudi Arabia the best link between the two neighbours as it has old ties with Pakistan. (With additional input from Wires)

Published in the Express Tribune, June 5th, 2010.

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