Opposition refuses to withdraw PA requisition

Says joint strategy needed to curb the spread of coronavirus

QUETTA: Opposition parties in Balochistan Assembly on Monday refused to withdraw requisition for the provincial assembly session, saying the parties want to adopt a  joint strategy in order to curb the spread of coronavirus in the province.

“Our suggestion on the deadly pandemic needs to be considered by members of the assembly,” said leader of the opposition in Balochistan Assembly Advocate Malik Sikandar Khan, according to a statement issued by the parties.

On Friday, Balochistan Assembly Speaker Abdul Quddus Bizenjo urged the opposition parties to withdraw the requisition, saying that emergency had been imposed across the country due to increasing cases of coronavirus. “It is time to tackle the coronavirus and not to call assembly sessions. I will reject the requisition if the opposition doesn’t withdraw it.”

The opposition leader maintained that the speaker’s suggestion of withdrawal of the requisition had been discussed by the members and the leaders and they had  decided to educate people on coronavirus if the assembly session was not convened.

However, Khan emphasised on a joint plan of action to curb the virus in the province which he deemed only possible through an assembly session where opinions were shared and debated.

Meeting of the opposition parties was attended by Balochistan National Party leaders Naseer Shahwani, Zabid Riki, Abdul Wahid Siddiqui, Noorullah, Ahmed Nawaz and Nasrullah Zaray.

He noted the assembly session would not violate precautionary measures of the deadly pandemic because members of the assembly maintained a safe distance from each other. “Our concern is to consider the provincial situation in the session and discuss suggestions to curb the coronavirus in Balochistan.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2020.