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Putting aside local issues such as protests by labourers and pensioners over non-payment, Senators chose to debate Pakistan’s foreign policy and its effectiveness in the session on Friday.
Members of the Senate brought up the topic of Afghanistan’s future government. But surprisingly, Senate Chairperson Farooq H Naek decided to expunge the discussion due to the ‘sensitivity’ of the matter.
Speaking on a point of order, a lawmaker said his religio-political party could foresee a change of government in Afghanistan. “Pakistan should set a long-term foreign policy,” he remarked, triggering a debate on the issue.
Naek swung into action and attempted to adjourn the proceedings till Monday but in response to the lawmaker’s speech, senators from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Awami National Party (ANP) started debating the issue.
Government criticism
Speaking on an earlier point of order, PML-N’s Zafar Ali Shah criticised the government for its failure to implement resolutions passed by the Parliament and the all-parties conference last month. “Our foreign policy has failed miserably to solve national and international issues,” Shah said.
The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party’s Raza Rabbani also censured the government over the way it tackled the issue of Pakistan Railways pensioners. “Railways should not be privatised. There is a need to improve the institution and privatisation is not the solution.”
Bringing up the almost forgotten issue of the sacked employees of Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC), he called upon the government to fulfil the promise it had made to them.
ANP’s Farrah Aqil requested the government to take note of issues faced by health departments, especially by nurses who have been protesting for months over unpaid salaries.
Back-to-back walkouts
Senators from Fata as well as those representing Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, Jamaat-e-Islami, ANP, PML-N and PML-Q (Likeminded) staged a walkout over not receiving funds for their constituencies.
Naek directed Leader of the House Nayyar Bokhari to draw the prime minister’s attention to this issue.
But ANP’s Haji Adeel told the house that Bokhari had written to Gilani on June 9 but was yet to receive a response.
Fata Senators staged a walkout for the second consecutive day to protest against no quota for people from the tribal areas in Pakistan International Airlines. “This is 100 per cent discrimination against the people of Fata,” said Senator Abbas Afridi.
Some Senators also walked out in protest against the absence of ministers, after Senator Hafiz Rashid pointed out lack of quorum.
“Under the 18th amendment, ministers are obligated to attend the session,” said Senator Rabbani, following which Naek directed Bokhari to write to prime minister on the issue.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 29th, 2011.
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