Protesting lawmaker barred from house
The Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly continued proceedings on Thursday without an opposition lawmaker who tore a copy of a resolution supporting the prime minister in the previous session.
The resolution tabled by the treasury benches in the assembly to support Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani triggered off unprecedented scenes in the house, with the speaker calling in the police to arrest Nawaz Khan Naji, a nationalist party lawmaker.
The lawmaker, who is from Ghizer valley, was barred from attending the session on Thursday. According to sources in the assembly, Naji would not be allowed to enter the house unless he tenders an unconditional apology for his behavior on Wednesday.
However, he rejected the offer, saying that sitting in the “rubberstamp assembly” was just a waste of his time and energy. “It’s better to sit outside instead of being part of it,” he said.
Chaired by Speaker Wazir Baig, the house also unanimously adopted a resolution tabled by lawmaker Shireen Fatima, expressing condolences with the families of soldiers and civilians trapped under an avalanche in Giari sector of Siachen Glacier.
The proceedings were also attended by chief minister Mehdi Shah and other cabinet members, who discussed ways to improve law and order situation in Gilgit, marred recently by sectarian violence.
Lawmakers,urged the government to take steps to ensure lasting peace in the region.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 18th, 2012.
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