Unanimous resolution: NA declares Malala ‘daughter of nation’

PML-N rejects rigging allegations, says it will oppose bills on dual-nationality, tax amnesty, accountability.

ISLAMABAD:

The main opposition party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Monday made public its intention to shoot down all government efforts to pass bills on dual nationality, tax amnesty and accountability in the National Assembly (NA) – bills that the government is planning to introduce during the ongoing NA session.

“These three bills are against the national interest and are bereft of transparency,” said Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan while talking to the media outside parliament.

The PML-N stalwart, who didn’t attend the last National Assembly session, attended Monday’s session but opted not to speak on floor of the house.

Amidst these tensions, the first day of the 48th session of the lower house was generally marked by low attendance and lack of interest by parliamentarians. However, the house did manage to unanimously pass a resolution declaring Malala Yousafzai as a “daughter of the nation”.

“This house gives great importance to the sacrifices made by Malala Yousafzai for the sake of education. This house, therefore, recommends that Malala Yousafzai be declared daughter of the nation,” said a resolution moved by Rubina Saadat Qaim Khani of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Nisar’s media talk

“These three bills are a closed chapter for us and there is no possibility of overt or covert negotiations with the government over them,” Nisar said, adding that the proposed tax amnesty scheme would only legalise the ill-gotten money of cronies during the last four years.

Meanwhile, the PML-N leader invited those hurling allegations against the party for rigging the recently-held by-polls to submit ‘evidence’ before accusing them of foul play and asked them to approach the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

“The results of the by-elections should have been an eye-opener for the ruling alliance and were a reflection of public anger to their performance,” Nisar added.

The opposition leader also raised objections over the appointment of President Asif Ali Zardari’s Secretary General, Salman Farooqui, as acting ombudsman.

“The PML-N does not accept the appointment of this controversial person.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2012.