Punjab Assembly session: Poor attendance scuppers petrol price debate

Opposition, treasury members seek resolution to condemn new year price hike.

LAHORE: A Pakistan Peoples Party MPA prevented the Punjab Assembly from debating the sharp rise in petrol, diesel and compressed natural gas prices on Monday after the ruling party and opposition had called for a debate and a resolution on the issue.

At the start of Monday’s proceedings, which began close to 90 minutes later than the scheduled start of 3 pm, Dr Tahir Ali Javed of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q (Like Minded) rose to condemn the recent hike in the prices of petroleum products. He said that the people of Pakistan were crying out for relief from the high cost of living, but instead the government gave them even higher prices. He said that as public representatives, the members of the assembly had a duty to voice the grievances of their constituents. He suggested that the assembly set aside a day for a debate on the subject.

Law Minister Rana Sanaullah agreed that it was an important issue and said that he had no objection to a debate later in the day, after the house was finished with its scheduled business. The house could also pass a resolution on the issue, he suggested.

But when time came to start the debate, Shaharyar Ali of the Pakistan Peoples Party pointed out the lack of quorum. The bells rang for five minutes to summon members to the hall. Still there were not enough members in attendance, so the chair was forced to adjourn proceedings till 10am on Tuesday (today).

Also on Monday, Senior Minister Raja Riaz said the PPP government in Islamabad would survive and complete its tenure regardless of the recent defections of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Muttahida Qaumi Movement from the ruling coalition.

“Let me be clear: the administration will not be derailed, the government will complete its term, President Asif Zardari will complete his tenure, and democracy will survive,” Riaz told the house to the gentle rapping of desks by members of the treasury benches.

He said that the government was the target of “conspiracies” and “anti-democratic elements”, but it would not allow these to succeed.

Rana Arshad of the ruling PML-Nawaz voiced his party’s support for the central government, saying democracy had returned to Pakistan after nine years of dictatorship and would not be given up easily.

Aamir Sultan Cheema of the opposition said it was ironic that the minister was accusing others of conspiring against the government, when “they are the ones conspiring against the public” in unprecedented price hikes and corruption.

Earlier on Monday, the PPP Punjab held a parliamentary party meeting where the members expressed confidence in President Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2011.