Heated session: As new MPAs take oath, G-B lawmakers continue to play tug-of-war

Criticism on region’s provincial status, arguments over Quaid-e-Azam’s ‘real successors’ dominate proceedings.

GILGIT:

Two newly-elected MPAs from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) were sworn in on Tuesday as Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Assembly proceedings kicked off amidst debates and criticism of policies.

Speaker Wazir Baig administered the oath to Fida Mohammad Nashad and Sultan Ali, the two candidates who won the by-elections held in Baltistan earlier this month. In a speech after taking oath, Nashad vowed to strengthen G-B’s ties with the federal government in a bid to draw the prime minister’s attention towards the region.

“I am ready to play my role in this regard.” Nashad was the former deputy chief executive of G-B, a status equivalent to that of the chief minister.

How green is my valley

On a point of order, Mirza Hussain, a Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) lawmaker from Nagar Valley, launched a strong protest over the exclusion of the valley in the upcoming silk route festival.

In response to his objections, Adviser to Chief Minister on Tourism Sadia Danish explained part of the silk route festival, which will commence on Sunday, has been planned in Gojal Valley since the original silk route passed through the area. Holding the event in Gojal, considered to be a peaceful area, would also help highlight the Attabad Lake issue which has created problems for the residents of Gojal.

Her reply, however, failed to satisfy MPAs from Nagar Valley.

“Hunza-Nagar is culturally rich and peaceful. Neglecting it is unjustified,” said Minister of Finance Mohammad Ali Akhtar, who also belongs to Nagar Valley.

Missed opportunities

Following Assembly Speaker Wazir Baig’s introspection on Monday, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA from Kharmang Valley, Skardu flayed his own government. Muhammad Ali Shah criticised the government’s inability to make Kharmang a district.

“I am really, really sorry this didn’t happen during this government’s tenure.”

Earlier, Baig had said his government had failed their people and there is no longer enough time before the next elections to do anything substantial.

“Kharmang valley should have been given the status of a district on a priority basis because it is strategically important and we cannot afford to annoy people there. People now feel betrayed,” said Shah, popularly known in G-B as Agha Foker.

He was elected on a PPP ticket in the 2009 elections from Kharmang, a valley of Baltistan near the line of control (LoC).

During one of his visits to the valley in 2012, Chief Minister Mehdi Shah had announced Kharmang would be given the status of a district. That never materialised, but it did trigger a debate in G-B over the regional government’s sincerity and commitment.

“The people (in Kharmang) were under the influence of religious leaders and we have reined them in. That’s why the army is there and is able to defend the boundary line,” claimed a lawmaker from the floor of the house.

When finance minister Akhtar tried to explain the factors behind the delay, Muhammad Ali Shah refused to listen to any “excuses” and stated his disappointment over the government’s approach.

The fifth province

Pakistan Peoples Party lawmaker from Baltistan, Shireen Fatima, called upon the centre to change its “outdated” foreign policy and declare G-B Pakistan’s fifth province. The constitutional imbroglio is considered the major factor behind G-B’s lack of development.

G-B elite forces should have facilities equivalent of those enjoyed by elite forces elsewhere, demanded Amina Ansari of PML-Q. She also called for the regularisation of police working in Rescue 1122.

Identity crisis

A heated debate sparked over carrying on Quaid-e-Azam’s mantle after newly-elected PML-N MPA Sultan Ali called Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif “the leader of the nation.”

PPP lawmaker Raziuddin Rizvi reacted to the statement by arguing the founder of Pakistan was the “leader of the country, not Nawaz Sharif. You should choose words judiciously.”

The argument between the lawmakers continued till PML-Q MPA Mirza Hussain stood and claimed his party was the true successor of Quaid’s party with Chaudhry Shujaat as the leader, irking PML-N MPAs to a bickering match.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2013.