National Assembly session: Democracy under threat, warns PkMAP chief

Ishaq Dar announces foreign reserves to cross $14 billion by June 30.

ISLAMABAD:

Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai on Thursday gave a ‘wakeup call’ to MPs, warning that democracy in Pakistan is ‘under threat’ and urging leaders to join hands in order to stave off this danger.

Addressing a National Assembly session on Thursday, Achakzai asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Leader of Opposition Syed Khursheed Shah and former president Asif Ali Zardari to come together. “I request the leaders to make a front for democracy,” he said.

He also advised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan to pay attention to governance instead of holding public rallies. “You [PTI] have 30 members in the National Assembly and you are just busy in public rallies,” he added.

Achakzai referred to Pakistan Awami Tehreek leader Dr Tahirul Qadri’s latest demand asking the army to take control of the airport on the day of his return. “Who are you to make such a demand?” he asked of Qadri.  “Since when has Qadri become the army’s spokesperson?” he questioned. Achakzai added that had he been in the prime minister’s position, he would have ordered that Qadri be arrested and sent back to Canada. The PM joined fellow MPs in appreciating Achakzai’s statements as they thumped their tables. Achakzai also suggested that the government convene a joint session of Parliament. “I urge Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif to be on the same page otherwise the existence of Pakistan is in danger,” Achakzai stated.



He advised that the government announce that “Afghanistan is a sovereign state and they can run their country according to their wishes.” He added, “Terrorism would end if you don’t keep sanctuaries against them (Afghanistan) and they against you. Tell me who do you want to make this commitment in writing? Hamid Karzai, Abdullah, I will bring them,” he added.

Commenting on inter-provincial strife, he said, “The solution to these issues is in giving the right to governance to Sindhis, Balochs, Pushtuns and Punjabis.” He concluded his speech with a flourish. “Long live democracy and long live the Constitution of Pakistan,” he said.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar informed the house that the government had sold the remainder of 20 per cent shares in United Bank Limited (UBL) and raised $387 million, concluding the first privatization transaction in the last seven years. He said the sale of stake in UBL would raise Rs38 billion or $387 million. The minister said that 51 per cent shares of UBL were sold in 2002. Dar added that the sale of the remaining shares would also help increase foreign reserves. “Our foreign reserves will cross $14 billion by June 30,” he added.

Leader of the opposition Khursheed Shah raised objections to Dar’s statement, saying, “The government is setting a new example by eulogising its achievements at a time when the house is in the middle of budget debate.” He asked the finance minister to make such announcements at the end of the debate.

PPP’s Shazia Marri censured the government for not honouring its commitment to austerity measures, pointing a finger at the expenditures of Prime Minister House. Marri also said that the government’s expenditure of billions on projects like the Metro Bus would have been better spent on children’s education. Marri brought tomatoes and onions to the assembly, holding them as she claimed the price of vegetables were well beyond the reach of the common man.

Earlier, the PML-N’s Mian Abdul Manan made statements against the PTI, which led to a protest against the use of ‘un-parliamentary language’. The Speaker intervened in the argument and expunged a derogatory metaphor used for Sheikh Rashid Ahmed’s presence at the PTI’s rally in Faisalabad from the record.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2014.