Protesting against Karachi operation, MQM stages walk out of National Assembly

Ishaq Dar hits out at PTI, urges the opposition party to come to common terms as per the agreement signed between them

ISLAMABAD: Members of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in National Assembly walked out of Monday's session to protest against the ongoing operation against it's leaders in Karachi.

Farooq Sattar, while talking to the media, said that the Constitution and law were being sabotaged in Karachi, adding that MQM MNA Ali Raza Abidi's restaurant was ‘illegally’ sealed by law enforcement officials.

Recently, the Rangers had raided Abidi’s popular restaurant in Clifton, allegedly arresting a target killer before sealing the establishment. They had also detained MQM Rabita Commiitee member Qamar Mansoor following a raid on they party's headquarters Nine-Zero.

Read: ‘Mistreatment’ Of Prisoners: MQM warns of protest outside jail

Dar slams PTI for demanding apology from PM

Buoyed by the inquiry commission’s verdict in its probe of the May 2013 general elections, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar hit out at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over its continued accusations.

Revealing the contents of an agreement, which according to him, had signatures of PTI leaders, Dar told the National Assembly on Monday that the government was dismayed over Imran Khan’s demand of an apology from the premier.

“For the first time in history, an elected government presented itself forth for scrutiny,” he said adding that, “this had not received acknowledgement from the PTI.”

He asserted that it was incumbent upon all political parties signatory to the accord to accept the outcome of the judicial inquiry.

“It was decided that if the rigging is proved, government will dissolve the assemblies, whereas if the allegation is proved wrong, then the PTI would play a constructive role in the elected assembly,” he said.

Unfortunately, Dar lamented that the PTI was deviating from its agreement on the formation of JC and acceptance of its findings.

“We urge PTI chairman Imran Khan to shun confrontation and come to common terms.”

Govt to add 1,750MW of wind power to the grid by end of 2016

Before MQM's walk out, the house was informed that 1,750 MW of power will be added to the grid, in the from wind-power, by the end of the next year.

Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali told the house during the question and hour session that five wind power projects with cumulative capacity of 255 MW are operational at the moment in Thatta district.

He said that financial closure of nine wind power projects has been completed and these will start working by September next year.

Read: MQM says PM offered nothing but condolence

Ali said work was also underway for identification of other sites in the country feasible for wind power projects. He said more wind power plants will be installed where feasible.

To a question, Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Works Sajid Mehdi told the house that initial planning work and housing designs had been finalised for implementation of the housing programme.

He said that initially 1,000 clusters, consisting of 500 housing units will be completed. He said it will benefit 0.5 million eligible families.

Replying to a question, Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar said that campaigns had been launched for creating awareness among the masses about Thalassemia and Hemophilia.

She reiterated that blood tests before marriage to control these genetic disorders in the country were integral.

Moreover, Parliamentary Secretary for Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony Khalil George informed the House that the Ministry has taken a number of steps to control sectarianism in the country and promote tolerance among the public. He said a national committee on sectarian harmony has been set up.