Four National Assembly members and three senators have decided on Friday to form a separate group under the leadership of former minister for environment Hameedullah Khan Afridi, announcing that they would choose their own parliamentary leader.
Elected as independent members in the National Assembly, nine of the 11 parliamentarians from Fata had formed a group and chosen Muneer Khan Orakzai as their parliamentary leader soon after the 2008 general elections.
The group, which was part of the ruling coalition, remained intact till this month’s Senate elections. However, monetary matters created rifts between them, with some complaining that they have not been taken into confidence regarding important decisions.
“We were neglected and our point of view was not considered during the Senate polls. This is not acceptable and shows the real intentions of our so called head,” said Hameedullah during a press conference.
MNAs Hameedullah Jan Afridi, Zafar Baig Bitanni, Kamran Khan and Bilal Rehman and Senators Haji Khan Afridi, Hilalur Rehman and engineer Rasheed Khan are the ones to express dissatisfaction over the actions of the parliamentary leader.
The parliamentarians are criticising Orakzai of favouring the government instead of lawmakers from Fata. Hameedullah had earlier threatened of joining the opposition bench.
On the other hand, the group led by Orakzai criticises the estranged group of betraying their loyalty. When asked for comments, Muneer Orakzai only said “May Allah grant some sense to them.”
Sources say the main cause of the rift between the two groups is the utilisation of money in Senate polls. A parliamentarian wishing not to be named said Rs60 million was given to Fata members to elect four senators.
The matter is likely to be referred to the presidency for mediation.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 24th, 2012.
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Dirty politics