Decision on lifting governor’s rule in 48 hours: Naek
MQM, PML-N stage walkouts in protest against increase in prices of petroleum products.
File photo of Law Minister Farooq H Naek. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The government is likely to take a final decision on lifting governor’s rule in Balochistan within the next two days, Law Minister Farooq H Naek told journalists on Friday outside the National Assembly. The minister also endorsed the option of restoring the provincial government in Balochistan.
“It would help kick-start the process of negotiations for the interim government in the province,” said Naek.
Naek told reporters that these decisions were taken during the parliamentary commission’s meeting with the ECP officials earlier this week. Another meeting will take place on Wednesday next week, where the committee will discuss Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution with the commission.
“For any amendments in the law, the ECP does not need permission from the Parliament. It can simply ask the president of Pakistan if it wants to change any law,” maintained Naek.
Addressing upcoming elections, he said that by holding elections of both the National and provincial assemblies on the same day the ECP would be able to cut down on financial expenditure. He added that the idea was being discussed with stakeholders.
Replying to a question, the minister said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will contact the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for verification of suspicious degrees and if any are found to be fake, the commission will be authorised to take action.
Naek went on to say that the government was taking all steps to create an environment conducive for free and fair elections. He said the assemblies will be dissolved on their due expiry date after which the elections will be held within 60 days.
He also said that negotiations on the names for a caretaker prime minister were ongoing.
“Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly, Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan, has not yet answered a letter written by the leader of the house, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, requesting for names of the interim prime minister,” Naek told reporters.
Meanwhile, inside Friday’s brief National Assembly session, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) staged a walkout in protest against a recent hike in petroleum prices.
The MQM’s Syed Asif Hasnain said the recent step by the government to increase the prices of petroleum products was an injustice to the people who were already suffering at the hands of inflation. “The price hike was unjust and unfair. The decision was taken by Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority without taking the special Parliamentary committee on petroleum on board,” said Hasnain before walking out of the session with his party colleagues.
MQM members were supported by the members of Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz who also walked out in protest. PML-N’s Pervez Malik said that the move by the government at the time of the completion of its tenure was highly irresponsible.
“It will send people further into financial troubles,” said Malik. His colleagues joined him in the walkout, at which point the session was adjourned to meet again on Monday anyway.
Friday’s session lasted a mere 45 minutes and did not take more than one agenda on its order of the day, leaving all others, including the 23rd Amendment bill for increasing minority seats in both National Assembly and provincial assemblies waiting.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2013.
The government is likely to take a final decision on lifting governor’s rule in Balochistan within the next two days, Law Minister Farooq H Naek told journalists on Friday outside the National Assembly. The minister also endorsed the option of restoring the provincial government in Balochistan.
“It would help kick-start the process of negotiations for the interim government in the province,” said Naek.
Naek told reporters that these decisions were taken during the parliamentary commission’s meeting with the ECP officials earlier this week. Another meeting will take place on Wednesday next week, where the committee will discuss Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution with the commission.
“For any amendments in the law, the ECP does not need permission from the Parliament. It can simply ask the president of Pakistan if it wants to change any law,” maintained Naek.
Addressing upcoming elections, he said that by holding elections of both the National and provincial assemblies on the same day the ECP would be able to cut down on financial expenditure. He added that the idea was being discussed with stakeholders.
Replying to a question, the minister said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will contact the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for verification of suspicious degrees and if any are found to be fake, the commission will be authorised to take action.
Naek went on to say that the government was taking all steps to create an environment conducive for free and fair elections. He said the assemblies will be dissolved on their due expiry date after which the elections will be held within 60 days.
He also said that negotiations on the names for a caretaker prime minister were ongoing.
“Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly, Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan, has not yet answered a letter written by the leader of the house, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, requesting for names of the interim prime minister,” Naek told reporters.
Meanwhile, inside Friday’s brief National Assembly session, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) staged a walkout in protest against a recent hike in petroleum prices.
The MQM’s Syed Asif Hasnain said the recent step by the government to increase the prices of petroleum products was an injustice to the people who were already suffering at the hands of inflation. “The price hike was unjust and unfair. The decision was taken by Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority without taking the special Parliamentary committee on petroleum on board,” said Hasnain before walking out of the session with his party colleagues.
MQM members were supported by the members of Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz who also walked out in protest. PML-N’s Pervez Malik said that the move by the government at the time of the completion of its tenure was highly irresponsible.
“It will send people further into financial troubles,” said Malik. His colleagues joined him in the walkout, at which point the session was adjourned to meet again on Monday anyway.
Friday’s session lasted a mere 45 minutes and did not take more than one agenda on its order of the day, leaving all others, including the 23rd Amendment bill for increasing minority seats in both National Assembly and provincial assemblies waiting.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2013.