ISLAMABAD:
As the Punjab Assembly passed a resolution against the formation of a parliamentary commission formed to carve out new provinces in Punjab, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) continued its boycott of the controversial commission.
The commission, headed by Senator Farhatullah Babar, held its second meeting on Wednesday to frame its rules of business and prepare the terms of reference, and also decided to move forward with its work in the absence of the PML-N.
On Wednesday, the commission decided to formally invite experts and member of civil society for input and suggestions to help complete the commission’s task.
Interestingly, the commission also decided to hold meetings behind closed doors. “The decision was taken so that the commission could work with concentration,” said a statement released to explain the logic behind in-camera sessions.
The decision to go ahead with the commission meeting only increased the opposition’s criticism over the panel. Talking to the media outside parliament, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan decried the composition of the commission, while pointing towards the presence of Haji Adeel and Farhatullah Babar from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Dr Farooq Sattar from Sindh.
Nisar contended that only Punjab could take decisions about its division while terming the commission the “Zardari Commission”.
“How can people belonging to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa decide matters pertaining to Punjab,” said Nisar, adding that the Awami National Party (ANP) should be concerned with the Hazara province and not interfere in the matters of Punjab.
In an apparent slight to Farhatullah Babar, Nisar said Babar was merely the presidential spokesperson, adding that his party was ready to form new provinces but a national commission must be formed in consultation with opposition parties.
After the meeting, Senator Babar said that that the PML-N had not responded to the commission’s invitation.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 30th, 2012.
COMMENTS (2)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Ch. Nisar I imagin is full of negativity . I heard anything positive from his mouth. What ever good comes government is always negate by Ch. Nisar. I am wondering, is he helping Pakistan and the people in any manner or trying to destroy Pakistan?
In my opinion the real culprit who are bent upon stopping government doing any progressive work.
I feel that we are not for democracy but for precidencial rule .