Chief Minister Punjab violates decorum of House

Leader of the House in the Punjab Assembly Shahbaz Sharif was found violating the decorum of the august House, when he was seeing ‘chewing’ something in his mouth.
Vocal and belligerent Opposition member Samina Khawar Hayyat – herself not having a clean chit for violating decorum of the Assembly – pointed it out to the Speaker loudly, “Sir! Leader of the House is chewing chewgum in the House.”
Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal, perhaps turning his blind eye to what was happening on the right side of his chair, replied, “I have not seen that.”
Immediately, senior parliamentarian Sirdar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa was very quick to add, “Sir! He is not chewing chewgum, rather having alaychee (cardamom) in his mouth. However, this was enough to bail the CM out of an awkward situation for the time being.
On the other hand, no one pointed out that the Senior Khosa, as a routine, continues reciting on beads (tasbeeh), which amply hints at the prioritised ‘subject’ for the Chief of the Khosa clan.
Simultaneously, Sirdar Dost Khosa, and another female member from the PML-N Arifa Khalid Pervaiz were also continuing gnaw at something in their mouths.
Generally, chewing of gum in an official ambience is viewed with disfavour. In some cases, it is even considered a disrespectful demeanour. Speaking of Parliaments and legislative bodies, some like the US House of Representatives expressly prohibit eating as also smoking, drinking in the House. Though there does not appear to be any specific provision with respect to chewing gum, where eating is prohibited it should perhaps follow by implication that chewing of gum is also a taboo. Though no specific rule is traceable, the recognised convention in the UK prohibits eating, drinking and smoking in the Houses of Parliament.
Meanwhile, when the Opposition was vigorously fighting for sustaining the cut motions, despite Shahbaz Sharif being in attendance, Treasury members were continuously disturbing their adversaries. When PML-N ladies were heading the move, MPA from Sheikhupura Asghar Ali Manda also started hooting at the Opposition members.
Seeing no end to this despite his repeated futile efforts of keeping the House in order, Rana Iqbal commented, “Munda! Let me complete agenda!”
This brought a big laughter in the House.

Killing and Container Policy failure!

Marchers have moved on without police resistance. It says a lot to the rulers – provided they like to listen – that when large number of people, even with specific mindset and agenda start a journey, it becomes masses’ voice. What has happened so far, and to the extent the political crisis has deepened, both Sharifs must take the onus, and even now try to resolve the issue. They let the situation reach this point, which can culminate into their exit. One cannot exonerate Shahbaz Sharif even. Who is responsible for creating Container Towns in the Punjab, and broad-day murders of innocent people. Forget their affiliations, but they were humans! Development projects, like Metros, bridges and roads matter little in the progress and prosperity of any nation. Real task is to educate the nation, and provide health facilities to the commoners; but both these sectors are worst hit in the Sharifs tenures. Nothing except embroidered slogans! Disappointing these 'self-professed' pious are! Why these short-term big cost projects? These deliver money at your doorstep in the shortest possible time, as observed by people. Nevertheless, this government should complete its term since it will bring an end to this 'dictator-product rulers'. 25 years in governance, and they have yet to learn how to face opposition and stay away from political landmines; instead they ensure that they tread them. Today, they are facing the consequences of this.

Whither Sindh Rangers DG?

The post of Director General Rangers Sindh is lying vacant since June 14 when its last incumbent Major General Aijaz Chaudhry was displaced from the slot after the Supreme Court ordered his removal when Rangers’ jawans killed a young man.
Now the Rangers in Sindh is being commanded by Brigadier Zafar Iqbal who is the acting DG, and sources have confided that as such there are no clues in the power corridors that the quarters concerned have made a move for appointing a regular DG Rangers for the province.
Defence analysts and senior ex-military officers deem that there was something ‘deliberate’ in it. They are confused about the continuation of the interim arrangement. “Why is an officer of the rank of a Brigadier heading an institution like Rangers? And who is a hurdle in the appointment of a Major General as DG Rangers, which is a constitutional requirement?” they questioned, while asserting that the situation was being allowed to deteriorate, and one of the implications of keeping a key-post vacant was that the concerned quarters were going soft on it.
They have also observed that though the top officers of the force are from the Army, but the paramilitary force falls under the purview of the federal government, and the present dispensation’s no effort in this regard raises certain questions, especially when the force has launched an operation against the miscreants and criminals in the blood-drenched city, which is bleeding for quite some time now, and there is no end in sight to this as well.
Experts believe that under normal circumstances an Acting DG can manage matters, but in an extraordinary situation when the operation has been initiated, this ‘sanctioned post’ should have been filled immediately when it fell vacant. They mentioned that as a matter of routine the Military-Secretary Branch of the Army’s General Headquarters sends a panel of three officers to the Interior Ministry for the appointment of a regular incumbent to the post. They also assert that since the matter was extremely pressing, the Ministry should have made a move, and if it has not, then it gives rise to serious questions. To them, this very fact amply proves why the Rangers have been ineffective so far. “In case, he – Brigadier instead of a Major General – has to get in contact with the GHQ for certain decisions, his communication will be certainly marred, and his decision-making power will be adversely affected as the present incumbent is also vulnerable to civil orders,” they observed, adding that the Rangers was familiar with the Karachi’ites primarily because of its long-time deployment. “If the Rangers has to do it, then give it all powers, and place the police under it. For this, neither new legislation is required nor nod from the federal government, but willingness to act earnestly after doing the spadework, including appointing DG Rangers,” they opined.
General (retd) Hameed Gull, while averring that one man rule suited the US, said it was wrong. “It is beyond the understanding why the slot has been kept vacant,” he added.
Brig (retd) Farooq Hameed maintained that the DG had to appointed, and the force should not have a Brigadier as an Acting DG. “It is a serious flaw since from the command and control point of view, it is an imperative and a full-time job, which leaves little room for adhocism,” he averred, adding that the operation was being carried out under the Interior Ministry, not Army. “Why is the federal government having an acting arrangement?” he questioned.
Brig (retd) Pervez Asghar Mian, who has served in Karachi, observed that in Karachi, the whole operation was a musical chair, and no body was serious to carry out it honestly.
When contacted DG Inter-Services Public Relations Major-General Ather Abbas said the DG Rangers was removed after the SC decision, and since then this post was vacant. “I cannot offer comment on it because I will have to check it from the MS Branch,” he concluded.
PPP’s Sindh leader Sharmila Farooqui sees no problem in this since “they are no administrative issues, and the acting DG is performing well. And you never know he could be elevated to the higher post,” she asserted, while admitting that appointment of a regular incumbent would have been an ideal situation.

Cricketer Aamir Sohail opens political innings

Former captain of Pakistan cricket team and flamboyant opener Aamir Sohail has opened another innings on the political pitch of the PML-N when he joined the party after meeting its president Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at Raiwind on Thursday.
Aamir Sohail, who had also previously served head of selection committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board, announced his selection of the PML-N for starting his political career, and expressed his confidence in Nawaz Sharif’s leadership, who said Aamir had made his country proud on the playing field. “It is a good addition to the Party,” added the ex-premier, while welcoming the cricketer, who had played under N-League’s political adversary Imran Khan, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. In his meeting with Nawaz Sharif, he is said to have discussed the issues pertaining to sports and sportsmen.

His stats show that Aamir could not perform well in the World Cup of 1992, which was won by Pakistan under cricket-legend-turn-politician Imran Khan since in the last two games of the semi-final and final– virtually Khan’s also – Aamir could not do well both with bat and bowl, securing 14 in 20 balls and 4 in 19 balls, while being wicketlessly hammered by the Kiwis for 11 in his solitary over and by the English for 49 in 10 overs respectively.
Now it is yet to be seen how he would perform under cricket-lover and admirer Nawaz Sharif. “The country needs seasoned and experienced leadership, which I believe the PML-N offers. I have joined with an open mind and open heart, and there’s a long way to go,” asserts the novice politician Aamir, who has not been given any party office so far. However, he told the PML-N president that he wanted to work for the better future of cricket in the country. “I have decided to come into politics because I want to do something for sports and sportsmen as a former player and captain,” said the left-handed opener not known for being calculative in his aggression. Pakistanis still remember him for his careless shot, which helped India to win the quarter’s final of 1996 world cup in Bangalore, after a great start by the Pakistan cricket team.

It can be considered that he might turn out to be a good commentator of the political scene since Aamir had been cricket commentator for quite a long time though not as recognised as his fellow opener Ramiz Raja.
Also at the fag end of 1990s, when head Tehreek-e-Minhaj-ul-Quran Dr Tahirul Qadri was leading Pakistan Awami Ittehad, Aamir Sohail had meet Dr Qadri at the latter’s residence. However, he withdrew after some time, and declined to have joining the Pakistan Awami Tehreek.
Aamir might have taken inspiration from another flamboyant opener of Sri Lanka Jay Suriya, who is member of his country’s parliament.
He is certainly not the first Pakistani cricketer to become a politician. Prior to him, former fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz is already with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. Also ex-fast bowler Atta-ur-Rehman is with the PAT. Late Fazl Mahmood remained of the Tehreek-e-Minhaj-ul-Quran till he drew his last breath.
Aamir Sohail's constituency is likely to be less as far as the cricket lovers are concerned. However, he belongs to a family of 22 brothers and sisters, and three mothers. So for sure, he should be pretty certain of winning a Councillorship by bagging a few of the party votes. However, he has left his ancestral home situated in the Walled City, and has gone to the Defence Housing Authority, where he might be that popular since little is known about the next neighbours in that locale.
44-year-old Aamir Sohail had played 47 Tests and 156 one-day internationals, taking part in two World Cups in 1992 and 1996.

Pakistan-India must getrid of old thoughts: Nawaz

While reiterating his previously stated stance for initiating probe through a commission into the Kargil debacle, President PML-N Mian Nawaz Sharif has asked both Pakistan and India to move beyond the old thought process for resolving the outstanding issues marring relations between two nuclear neighbours.
While addressing a function ‘Building Bridges in the Subcontinent’ held in connection with the Independence Day at a local hotel here on Saturday, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif maintained that both countries must resolve all issues through dialogue, and wanted that people-to-people contact should be increased because peace and prosperity in neighbourly states were substantially connected to it.
He mentioned that the Indian government had probed the Kargil debacle through a commission. “A day will come here as well when a commission will probe the war, and then doors will be closed forever,” he maintained, while mentioning India’s ex-premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee stating that by waging the Kargil war, Pakistan had stabbed in his back. “If I would have been in Vajpayee’s place, I would have felt the same way,” added Nawaz Sharif.
On this occasion, he talked at length about his last tenure’s successes, both on development and foreign fronts. Nawaz Sharif quoted Vajpayee telling him, “Pakistan considers Jammu-Kashmir issue very seriously, and we (Indians) want to resolve it as well.”
Nawaz Sharif was of the considered opinion that year 1999 could have been declared as the ‘Year of Kashmir issue resolution’ since the time was conducive for resolving all issues. To him, Vajpayee’s visit to Pakistan was a historic one. “I found Indians to be keener than me. I was also, but perhaps bit hesitant,” he said, while observing that the derailed dialogue process had hugely damaged Pakistan.
He thanked India for letting Pakistan become a nuclear power since if the former had not conducted nuclear blasts, Pakistan would not have done it. “Even then, both prime ministers of that time sat together again for bringing peace to the region,” he said.
While mentioning his tenure’s achievements, he specifically cited the Motorway, which he wanted to extend till Kabul from Peshawar, and then to Tashkent from Gawadar. “But I was sent to Jeddah, otherwise it would have been done,” he lamented, while adding that India could have stretched the road to Kolkata. “We must have expanded business ties, and the bilateral issues could have been resolved in due course,” he asserted.
Nawaz Sharif was of the point of view that both countries shared same eating habits, language, culture and other commonalities. “The difference is only of the border,” he averred.
While quoting the Holy Quran, Nawaz Sharif was of the view that both nations in different ways prayed to the same Almighty, who is ‘Rabul Alameen’ not ‘Rabul Muslimeen’. “The demeanour should be of dealing with individuals, which will do good to the progress of both countries,” he opined.
Professor of international affairs Dr Muhammad Waseem asked the audience to remember the sacrifices. He suggested the ‘normalisation’ of relations prior to ‘conflict resolution’. To him, the situation was otherwise between both countries. In order to substantiate his assertion, he gave the Sino-India example.
Indian economist Dr Succha Singh maintained that politically, morally and economically free countries would complete the agenda of independence. He mentioned Europe as a role model for this. He praised Nawaz Sharif for making tangible strides aimed at improving relations between both countries.

PML-N for no political pointing scoring on new units

The Pakistan Muslim League-N has reiterated its stance that new provincial units should not be carved out on linguistic basis, and there should be only one objective of providing good governance to the masses, and constitution of national commission should be done for this.
It was decided at the provincial parliamentary meeting of the party on the eve of the Punjab Assembly session, which was held on Thursday. The parliamentary meeting was chaired by Senior Advisor to Chief Minister, Sirdar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa, while ministers, MPAs and other senior leaders were also present on the occasion.
The MPAs have been asked to turn up at the Assembly at 9am sharp, an hour prior to the start of the session.
Source confided that CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif could not head the meeting since he had to leave to meet Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.
Sources further mentioned that the PML-N has asserted that new provincial units should be created on administrative grounds, not on political and linguistic basis, while other political forces should be allowed to secure political points. “The political forces should not be allowed to indulge in point scoring,” the party leaders observed.
Khosa has said despite transfer of departments to the provincial government, the federal government did not provide funds for these departments, and Shahbaz Sharif, during his meeting with Gilani, will discuss the matter of provision of funds.
Law Minister Rana Sana said the PPP had hatched a conspiracy to mislead the people by raising the issue of setting up of new provinces without any planning so that it could hide its corruption and misdeeds in its garb. He added that the leadership of PML-N was desirous of constituting national commission with regard to establishment of new provinces so that wherever was the need of setting up new provinces in the country on administrative basis, new provinces could be established there. He also said the setting up of provinces should be made on administrative basis in accordance with the constitution, but not on the linguistic basis. He observed that only one province should not be selected for setting up new provinces but new provinces should be established throughout the country. “By setting up new provinces, we have to face various legal complications, for which setting up a national commission is utmost necessary for this purpose,” he added.

Imran Khan has no contact with PML-N

PTI’s endorsement to the PML-N’s idea of dividing provinces on administrative grounds has come as a big surprise to the political pundits since Insaf’s Chairman Imran Khan has been bitterly criticising the N-League and the PPP in unequivocal terms since he considers them equal partners in the destruction of Pakistan.
However, party sources have confided that there is no ice-breaking between the parties’ leaders, and neither any contact, either formal or informal, had been made so far. On the other hand, it is being believed that the idea of new provinces could bring the two estranged parties closer to each other since they virtually parted way when the PML-N opted for contesting the last general elections of February 18, 2008. Analysts believe that under the given present circumstances, any reconciliation between the two parties is a far-fetched idea due to multiple reasons.
Imran Khan, while talking to TheNation on Tuesday, denied having any understanding with the N-League. He further said the PTI was not in contact with the PML-N, and no formal consultations had been done. “Endorsing the idea of new provinces on administrative basis is not due to even any tacit understanding,” he added, while asserting so far it was Insaf’s initial reaction to the proposal.
The cricket-legend mentioned that his party’s stance would be clearly stated after its Central Executive Committee meeting, which would be held soon.
Imran Khan was bitter at the restoration of the Local Government System of 2001 in Sindh. He was of the considered opinion that all the leading political parties were part of dividing the province. “It is criminal and against the integrity of the country.
The PTI leadership had already demanded imposition of the Governor’s rule in Sindh. They believe that a non-partisan governor could restore peace in Karachi. Also they are of the opinion that death and destruction in Karachi is because of the political mafias struggling to control the bhatta trade. Three leading political parties, that is, the PPP, MQM and the ANP, had been accused of failing in providing good governance, mainly due to the politicisation of the law enforcement agencies.
About the success of his Party’s sit-ins, he said these were against the hegemonistic policies, drone attacks, corrupt rulers and bad governance. “All have seen response of the people, and from this, they can also gauge the masses’ approval of our agenda against the policies of the government,” he asserted, adding that this week the PTI would stage a huge sit-in the provincial capital of Punjab. “This will amply depict the popularity of the PTI and its policies since people will show their strength in huge numbers,” he hoped.

PML-N’s testing time at Punjab Assembly

For the first time in the history of Pakistan, one federating unit, Punjab, is facing a unique situation regarding the creation of a new province, since the opposition has submitted a resolution to initiate the subject at the largest provincial legislative house, which will be seeing the daylight on August 11, when the Punjab Assembly meets for its 29th session.
Political analysts are of the considered opinion that now it will be the test of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s political acumen and pragmatism, and provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah’s constitutional wisdom. However, it is yet to be seen how they respond to a ‘unique’ move. Also, it remains to be seen whether the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s resolution is technically knocked out during the business committee meeting on the given day or it is placed before the House for debate, followed by voting.
The speaker has the authority to say no to the resolution and deny making it part of the agenda under the pretext of ‘public interest’. If he does so, even then the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz will be exposed for being against the idea of new province. If he allows, and reaches the stage of voting, and the N-League opposes it, the party will be on the slippery pitch again.
The reason for the resolution is to put the PML-N to test since the PPP-PML-Q duo knows very well that it does not have the mandatory two-thirds majority in the assembly.
Certainly, whatever Punjab legislators are going to decide, it will have a lasting impact on the next general elections, which are not too far in the future even if the current assemblies complete their constitutional term.
Also, a huge pressure is mounting on the provincial legislators, to the likes of Makhdoom Ahmed Mahmood, Muhammad Mohsin Khan Leghari and others, since they will be closely watched by all and sundry across the province, whether they would rise above their party affiliations, and address the issue, which they have kept close to their hearts since long. Also their electorate will be watching them whom they have many a time fed on the sloganeering regarding the creation of a province. However, it is believed that MPs from southern Punjab would outplay their colleagues from the rest of Punjab in delivering sermons and dishing out advices enumerating benefits of one more province.
To some experts, passing of the resolution from the Punjab Assembly is not doable, and even if the first stage is completed after constitutional requirement of doing it with two-thirds majority is actualised, it will open many fronts leading to further divisions of provinces on either linguistic or ethnic basis, which nobody will ever envy.
Political pundits maintain that the ruling party of the province, PML-N, in its heart of hearts does not want a new province since it will lead to divide its own strength as well as resources, while lesser is believed to be pouring in from southern Punjab, except in the form of raw material. No-one has answered the question, “Which part pays more taxes?” Similarly, the PPP, which is deemed to be playing a political card to make the N-League cripple under pressure and lose ballot, does not intend to complete the move since Sindh would also stand divided into Sindhi and non-Sindhi at some point of time, if not now. One part will have majority of the Urdu-speaking and Pashtuns with Sindhis in minority, while in the second, the situation will be reversed with certain other elements coming to the fore. Also, other provinces will demand the same division. Already, the Hazarites of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are demanding Hazara as a new province, while Balochs are for separating Pashtuns from them after dividing Balochistan.
The constitutional experts believe that if the Punjab Assembly passes a resolution, and other mandatory steps are actualised, then Punjab would have 40 seats in the Senate, while the other province would have 25 each. This would create more bitterness among the other federating units, who have been repeatedly alleging Punjab of dominating other parts of the country.
Nevertheless, the PML-N is sitting on a hot seat, and PPP’s political move, which is primarily aimed at denting its adversary’s vote bank and eroding its credibility, is so far gaining moss, and has successfully diverted people’s attention from other pressing issues of huge importance.

PML-N for new provinces on administrative basis

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has decided in principle to endorse the idea of carving new provinces out of Punjab on administrative grounds rather than on ethnic and linguistic basis, party sources confided with TheNation on Friday.
However, the final decision regarding the issue will be taken at the highest party meeting to be held in Islamabad on the coming Monday, which will be chaired by PML-N President Mian Nawaz Sharif. Prior to this, senior leader of the party Sartaj Aziz will be also chairing a meeting on the subject. So far, at its various party meetings, recommendations as a package had been finalised, which would be discussed in the Monday meeting. Party sources have also confided that PML-N special committee had so far met thrice during the last week to finalise the proposals. “The premise is that provinces should be created on administrative grounds, and a package should be announced for creating new provinces,” mentioned the source.
Moreover, the party leadership also believe that more provinces should be created for benefitting the masses instead of political sloganeering.
So far the party position is that it is against the creation of new provinces on ethnic and linguistic basis, and concedes that it could be done on administrative grounds. In a statement Deputy Secretary General PML-N Ahsan Iqbal has asserted that these provinces should be created on the basis of ideology. Political analysts believe that he is probably unaware that there is only one ideology according to which Pakistan was created. “How can there be many ideologies in one country?” remarked a party parliamentarian, while seeking anonymity.
On the other hand, political pundits believe that the PPP was not serious for creating new provinces, but was doing so for multiple reasons. First, it is playing to the public gallery for gathering support of those who have been raising the issue since long. Secondly, it is making an effort to having a bigger following among the masses of those particular areas. Thirdly, it is a political game which aims at clipping PML-N wings and eroding its strength, especially since its own party leaders, like Senior Vice-President Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, have speaking full throttle for the creation of more provinces, especially Saraiki, an area which falls within his proximity of influence.
Analysts assert that the PPP has gone ahead with the proposal of new provinces sans realising that it would lead to huge constitutional crisis and would make the economics of the country more vulnerable. “How would other provinces allow Punjab to have 40 seats in the Senate when the province is divided into two?” he questioned while mentioning that the other provinces had been repeatedly alleging Punjab for dominating the highest legislative house.
Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah has demanded formation of a commission, on the pattern of the 18th amendment, to discuss the creation of new provinces.
Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif held a meeting with party representatives of Sindh. On the occasion, he bitterly criticised the PPP government, and alleged it for bringing destruction to Karachi. “The federal and Sindh governments are responsible for the Karachi chaos, and do not seem to be sincere in mending the mess,” he observed, while reiterating his stance for the implementation of court decisions at every cost.

Former PML-N pals to rejoin

After finding itself a lone crusader against the allegedly corrupt PPP government and in order to get its flanks heavier, the PML-N is ready to accept estranged elements from all the political parties, especially the Q-League, since quite a few are just awaiting a nod from the N leadership to rejoin their previous party.
These stalwarts were part of the PML-N prior to Musharraf’s coup, and became part of the military ruler’s coterie and worked for strengthening the King’s party, but have distanced themselves from the Chaudharys of Gujrat especially after the latter joined hands with the PPP.
Political pundits believe that this drive of the N-League is an attempt to send a message across to its arch rival PPP that if it can joined hands with the PML-Q to strengthen itself in the parliament, it would cause dent in the top hierarchy of the Q-League with some of its top leaders joining the ‘N’. Party leaders maintain that this would not cause any embarrassment to those rejoining their old party since it would be like ‘home coming’. “The ‘N’ will also project it as an effort to reunite various Leagues at one platform,” mentioned the leader, adding that the PML-N had already improved its relations with the Unification Bloc in Punjab, and is in contact with the Like-Minded group in the Centre persuading them to come back.
As per the PML-N sources, leaders from different parties, even from the PPP, have either contacted directly or through common friends to get themselves inducted in the opposition party. So far the ‘N’ leadership has not decided about allotting party portfolios to them, but it is expected that fresh inductions with renewed pledges would be given due importance in the party hierarchy in due course.
This is substantiated by the fact that so far the PML-N had accepted quite a few Q-Leaguers. The glaring examples in this regard are of Ch Muhammad Iqbal from Gujranwala, Malik Saleem Iqbal, General (retd) Majeed Awan and his son from Chakwal, Nazir Sultan and his two sons from Jhang, Asim Nazir and Zahid Nazir from Faisalabad and Javed Akhlas from Rawalpindi. These were elected representatives from the Q-Leauge’s platform during Musharraf’s regime. Besides them, the Q’s dissidents in the Punjab Assembly had already joined the PML-N Treasury benches after grouping themselves as the ‘Unification Bloc’.
According to insiders of both ‘N’ and ‘Q’ Leagues, a big name to rejoin the PML-N is of Mushahid Hussain Syed, who was the federal information minister during Nawaz Sharif’s last tenure as prime minister, and presently serving as Secretary General of the PML-Q. “The spade work is complete, and it is only a matter of timing now when the announcement will be made, which is not in the distant future,” confided the source, seeking strict anonymity.
Other probable include former Speaker National Assembly Ch Ameer Hussain, who was defeated by incumbent federal information minister Dr Firdaus Ashiq Awan in the last elections.
Also, estranged PML-Q president Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa MNA Amir Muqam is also expected to join the N-League. He had quit the federal cabinet as Minister Production in protest to party leadership’s alleged slackness in informing its cadres about the coalition deal with the PPP. However, the Q-Leaguers are constantly trying to please Amir Muqam since it would deal a huge blow to party prospects in the province, and would prove hugely beneficial to the PML-N provided he joins Nawaz Sharif.
Also two ladies Bushra Rehman and Neelofar Bukhtiar are said to be joining the N-League. The same is being maintained about Marvi Memon, though she is considered to be closer to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf as well.
When contacted Dr Asif Kirmani, Secretary to PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif, maintained that as per his party policy, the N-League was open to accept everybody ‘minus Chaudharys of Gujrat’. When the names were mentioned to him, he did not offer his comments for the leaders, but added that a lot of people wanted to join his party. “So far nothing has been finalised, and will welcome those, who believe in the rule of law and genuine democracy,” he averred, while firmly stating that those “who acted as a catalyst in eroding the PML-N, would be denied entry.”

Whither PML-N’s grand alliance?

The PML-N’s much-yearned grand alliance seems to be quickly losing its charge since it could not gather much moss though with the word go a bunch of political pundits were seeing the emergence of a force to reckon with giving sleepless nights to the PPP men residing at the Capital Hill.
However, if some analysts believe that the idea has fizzled out, but the party’s bigwigs assert that nothing has been lost as the N-League would be able to get parties and people rally around itself in due course because the party is in dialogue with other leaders, and the idea is being endorsed by the masses, who would be supporting the alliance for the just cause of getting rid of the PPP’s corrupt government.
From day one when PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif announced the formation of the grand alliance, the political observers maintained that as long as anti-PPP elements, including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), would not join the alliance, its success could be a distant possibility.
When the MQM was invited to join the alliance, it made it clear that it would not become part of any movement meant for dislodging the government. However, the MQM endorsed the idea to the extent of supporting it though fell short of joining it explicitly, and latter rejoined the PPP government; thus dealing the first blow to the initiative. This is in dire contradiction to Muttahida’s wish of having at least a breathing space in Punjab, which could have been provided by the PML-N since it is holding the provincial fort for long. Also, the N-MQM nexus could have caused a clear division within the PML-N as there is no dearth of the Muttahida haters in the party. It gives rise to a question: Who will speak for the MQM from the League? Observers believe that Shahbaz Sharif could have been instrumental in bringing the Muttahida closer because he could have given certain assurances for allowing some space in the province, and that too in the next general elections.
This possibility was seriously hampered when Nawaz Sharif clearly stated that the alliance was not supposed to be an electoral one. Also he reiterated his stringent stance of keeping the Chaudharys of Gujrat out of any possible alliance. “This virtually shut the doors on all the wannabes, who could have joined hands with the N-League considering their prospects in the next polls,” maintained a PML-N leader, who is in favour of ‘playing part in power politics’ instead of being strict adherent of principles.
Also, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman is on record for saying that the PML-N was itself a hurdle in the formation of the grand alliance of opposition political parties. He advised the N-League leadership to ‘change its attitude and play the role of a responsible opposition’.
Apparently the Jama’at-e-Islami Pakistan was expected to join the alliance because of their previous track-record of acting as ‘natural allies’, but its Ameer Syed Munawar Hassan was visibly perturbed when the MQM was getting closer to the PML-N. He went to the extent of openly criticising the N-League. Succinctly, these three options of the MQM, JUI-F and JI fade out in a quick succession.
As per party sources, the PML-N has no love lost for Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan, who was on board with the All Parties Democratic Movement prior to the February 2008 polls, but got annoyed with the N-League which contested the last elections after having plans of boycotting earlier. “Plus Khan’s previously stated mantra against the Sharifs is a huge negative for making him part of the alliance,” averred the leader, simultaneously considering little possibility of the cricket legend joining the alliance provided powers-that-be nods so. He negated the assertion that Imran Khan had offered to be part of it provided he was given the chairmanship of the coalition of the opposition parties.
A bigwig of the PML-N hopes that in the coming months, the nationalist and regional elements, including the conservative ones, could become part of the alliance, and talks were underway.
Nevertheless, it is yet to be seen whether the PML-N succeeds in forging ahead with a movement of dislodging the central government prior to the Senate polls in March next or the PPP remains successful in thwarting the possibility of letting its persistently ‘estranged’ allies part ways, and join the N-League.

Whither ‘political’ Chief Whip of Punjab Assembly?

The Punjab government is yet to appoint Chief Whip for the highest legislative house of the province, and now things have turned out to be so annoying for the political dispensation that it has also given an additional responsibility to a bureaucrat.
The Chief Whip is a political office in leading legislatures of the world, and is assigned to an elected member whose task is to administer the whipping system that ensures members of the party attend and vote as the party leadership desires. In British politics – which is being followed by Pakistan as well – the Chief Whip of the ruling party in the House of Commons is usually appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury so that the incumbent, who represents the whips in general, has a seat and a voice in the Cabinet.
Interestingly, the government is yet to appoint Chief Whip and his deputies despite its fourth year in power. Traditionally, the Chief Whip – supported by Deputy CW and Assistant CW – has the role in party politics whose primary purpose is to ensure control of the formal decision-making process in a parliamentary legislature. They are the party 'enforcers', who typically offer both inducements and punishments to party members. In modern times, most Whips are concerned primarily with ensuring a desired attendance for an important vote.
Because legislatures typically only require a majority of the quorum in attendance, a majority party can be outvoted if a large number of its legislators are absent and the Opposition is in full attendance. An important part of a government Whip's job is to ensure that this situation never arises, but it all happened. Even quick moves by the PML-N leading lights around the gallery and corridors in search of their members did not help the Treasury’s cause.
It has repeatedly seen that the PML-N Treasury at the Punjab Assembly had continuously failed in keeping the quorum intact when the government business was taken up.
Consequently, this has raised the question also: Whither Chief Whip of the Assembly? Over the period, it has been observed that Senior Advisor to CM Sirdar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa is unofficially working as the Whip, but even he could not keep the House quorate. Under these circumstances, the Opposition, mainly the PML-Q, virtually acted as de facto Chief Whip since its members kept the Treasury on its toes by pointing out the quorum frequently.
Last year, seeing the inability of the Treasury to keep the quorum intact, Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan virtually started acting as Chief Whip when the government benches were trying to get through the Ali Institute of Education Lahore Bill from the House. This had happened despite the fact Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif was present in the Assembly premises. Later, Law Minister Rana Sana Ullah Khan maintained that it was incidental that the quorum could not be kept intact. Moreover, the official spokes person said the MPAs were discussing the development projects with Shahbaz Sharif; hence they were stuck up in the CM’s chamber, and could not attend to the Assembly proceedings.
Besides Khosa, sometimes Khawaja Salman Rafique, and Zaeem Qadri more frequently are given the responsibility of ‘shepherding’ the MPAs.
The government has also gone to the extent of giving breakfasts and lunches to its members, but they used to come, mark their attendance, and leave. On the other hand, quite a few of them never reached the Assembly premises, but their attendance was ‘automatically’ marked. To avoid proxies, the introduction of biometrics technology for attendance, but it was lost in the dialogue room somewhere.
Now sometimes the CM has to sit through the sessions for ensuring presence of his MPAs, whom he had also told to remain present in his meetings as well.
The next solution has been devised as well. MPAs have confided that Secretary to CM Tauqeer Shah is now roaming around the corridors and cafeteria to ensure MPAs’ attendance. This is not for the routine days, but only for important days of voting and passing of bills. “In quite a few cases, if a PML-N member has to leave the premises, he has to mention it to the politely-speaking Secretary, who will just say, Sir/Madam, this is important that you stay and take part in the voting,” revealed an MPA, while seeking strict anonymity. However, he was of the view that many members have eyebrows on this. “Most of the MPAs do not like this when they are being shepherded around like school-going children,” he added.

Chief Minister Punjab violates decorum of House

Leader of the House in the Punjab Assembly Shahbaz Sharif was found violating the decorum of the august House, when he was seeing ‘chewing’ something in his mouth.
Vocal and belligerent Opposition member Samina Khawar Hayyat – herself not having a clean chit for violating decorum of the Assembly – pointed it out to the Speaker loudly, “Sir! Leader of the House is chewing chewgum in the House.”
Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal, perhaps turning his blind eye to what was happening on the right side of his chair, replied, “I have not seen that.”
Immediately, senior parliamentarian Sirdar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa was very quick to add, “Sir! He is not chewing chewgum, rather having alaychee (cardamom) in his mouth. However, this was enough to bail the CM out of an awkward situation for the time being.
On the other hand, no one pointed out that the Senior Khosa, as a routine, continues reciting on beads (tasbeeh), which amply hints at the prioritised ‘subject’ for the Chief of the Khosa clan.
Simultaneously, Sirdar Dost Khosa, and another female member from the PML-N Arifa Khalid Pervaiz were also continuing gnaw at something in their mouths.
Generally, chewing of gum in an official ambience is viewed with disfavour. In some cases, it is even considered a disrespectful demeanour. Speaking of Parliaments and legislative bodies, some like the US House of Representatives expressly prohibit eating as also smoking, drinking in the House. Though there does not appear to be any specific provision with respect to chewing gum, where eating is prohibited it should perhaps follow by implication that chewing of gum is also a taboo. Though no specific rule is traceable, the recognised convention in the UK prohibits eating, drinking and smoking in the Houses of Parliament.
Meanwhile, when the Opposition was vigorously fighting for sustaining the cut motions, despite Shahbaz Sharif being in attendance, Treasury members were continuously disturbing their adversaries. When PML-N ladies were heading the move, MPA from Sheikhupura Asghar Ali Manda also started hooting at the Opposition members.
Seeing no end to this despite his repeated futile efforts of keeping the House in order, Rana Iqbal commented, “Munda! Let me complete agenda!”
This brought a big laughter in the House.

Unprecedented rumpus on budget day

The National Assembly on Friday witnessed one the worst rumpuses in its parliamentary history, and that too on the budget day when the whole nation and ‘interested-in-Pakistan people’, both inquisitively and caringly, across the globe wanted to listen to the budget speech, which was inaudible to television viewers, and even to the media and guests sitting in the gallery.
However, the PPP and coalition parliamentarians had the luxury of using headphones, while the Opposition was not interested in the speech at all. Despite noise and unseated MNAs, the PPP men played cool, and did not react to ‘anything’.
As per sources, the budget speech was changed at the last minute, and that is why it was not available to the mediamen sitting in the gallery. In addition to this, it was surely the shortest of all speeches made during the post-military rules, perhaps due to two reasons, first the budget was out in the morning, and second, distracted Finance Minister gave it an abrupt ending.
It was certainly a ‘unique occasion’ in the recent history of Pakistan, precisely in nine parliamentary years. Nevertheless, it has set the tone for the remaining provincial budgetary speeches to be made in the provincial assemblies in the current month. In the same vein, it also shows that the novice democratic system will be experiences the same twists and turns of the 90s when the PPP and the PML-N were fighting head-on, only to be eliminated within 11 years of swapping positions.
For the last three budgetary years, it used to be all peaceful since the PML-N remained committed to keeping the PPP in power, but this year, it was not the case, and the PPP was tasting newly-galvanised Opposition in the National Assembly.
The show started with desk thumping in chorus, followed by continuous sloganeering – shame, shame, US stooges/slaves, US slavery intolerable, corrupt govt unacceptable, give honour to Judiciary, stop telling lies, IMF Budget unacceptable, stop drone attacks, and corrupt ministers unacceptable.
The next stage was the gathering of the PML-N MPs, especially females, in front of Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, who continued his budget speech even when one could not hear what he was saying. Even PML-Q’s Marvi Memon joined the chorus. In the end, Dr Shaikh started addressing the protesting opposition members, in particular the concluding remarks were meant for them.
The most active in the group was Shakeel Awan from Rawalpindi, who had defeated Shaikh Rasheed Ahmed to reach the Assembly. However, Opposition Leader Ch Nisar Ali Khan was standing at the far end of the assembled crowd.
On this occasion, Ahsan Iqbal tried to present ‘Sasti’ roti to Dr Shaikh, which was gratefully collected by Information Minister Dr Firdaus Ashiq Awan. In another ‘historical’ reference to the 90s when Tehmina Daultana hurled ‘chaddhar’ at an addressing president, she did an equally ‘commendable’ job when she pelted bangles at the Minister. However, Dr Firdaus was quick in doing the clean-up job.
When the Opposition was making noise, Federal Minister became totally indiscernible. Seeing this, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani gestured his party-men to wear headphones and start desk thumping to appreciate good points of the budget.
Like few others, PML-N’s Ayaz Mir kept himself at a ‘safe’ distance from the protesting MPs, and just stood his ground away – perhaps to show his disapproval of the protest – but only extended support to them from an annoying mile, both to the Treasury and the Opposition.
Nevertheless, the PPP bigwigs kept their cool. Twice security staff went to the Speaker, while PM’s Rehman (Malik) Baba also approached Gilani thrice, but no action was taken against the protesting parliamentarians, deeming themselves to be the only ‘righteous group’ which can serve the nation in the best possible manner.
Two simple queries are: Was it part of politically constructive? And whose purpose was served?

Settling the blazing dust

In an attempt to settle blazing dust of the May 2 US unilateral assault in Abbotabad and assuage political-cum-public tempers, Prime Minister Gilani on Friday arranged an in-camera briefing for the parliamentarians to provide them first-hand information on how Pakistan’s sovereignty was violated blatantly, which was also certainly aimed to lessen the intensity of scathing criticism on the military and political elite.
However, people of Pakistan have the right to entertain the feeling of being left out since they were denied the opportunity of listening to the guards of their frontiers live, and the questioning-cum-reasoning ability of if-gutsy elected representatives of the two highest houses.
Nevertheless, it is an undeniable fact that for the first time in the military-dominated tattered history of Pakistan, the most powerful organ has surrendered to the parliament, conceding its blunder, and offering resignation. Reportedly, Director General Inter-Services Intelligence Lt.-General Ahmed Shuja Pasha submitted his resignation to the Premier, who rejected it immediately. “Keep on working,” Gilani directed (read requested) ISI’s top man, who admitted failure, sought apology, and bowed to say, “The failure was unintentional, but I admit that it was a mistake. I consider myself answerable to the Parliament, which is supreme. I am feeling relieved after presenting myself here.”
Stooping-to-conquer Pasha also informed the resignation-demanding parliamentarians – sans even a single credit of quitting after many fiascos – that he had made up his mind to resign after consulting his family, but COAS General Kiyani vetoed him.
Pasha did not fall short of assuring scared people that Pakistan had the capability of giving befitting reply to India in case the latter actualises its belligerent postures. To him, the nuclear arsenal was also immune to any aggression. Whether these statements would satisfy Pakistanis carry a big question mark, especially after the armed-forces’ recent failure in the garrison city. This scenario is further compounded when he also admits that his agency lacked resources and technology in comparison to the CIA.
The depth to which our rulers lowered for becoming ‘the loyal of all US stooges’ can be gauged from the briefing. General Pasha, while asserting that country’s national security was foremost, averred that we could not bow to American’s every command. This amply depicts the fact that the so-called friend-cum-ally is also bent upon destabilising the country in the name of bringing prosperity and progress by continuing “programmes of public welfare” as Senator John Kerry claimed during his last visit to ease out double murder convict Raymond Davis’s release.
Can we reject the white-man burden now? Pasha told the elected reps that ties with the US were not congenial, and would not improve in the near future. This statement establishes that our ruling elite wished to continue playing its role as ‘front-line state for US War on Terror’, and is not in a mood to off-load the Americans from the sinking boat.
Another shocking revelation was made by Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Operations) Air Marshal Muhammad Hassan when he mentioned that the land of the Shamsi Airbase was purchased by the United Arab Emirates, which constructed the air strip and handed it over to the Americans. “It falls beyond our control,” he succinctly gives himself a clean chit. There was no tangible reply to a query by PML-N Senator Ishaq Dar regarding the agreement as per which the Airbase was being used by another country.
While asserting that the US helicopters were equipped with highly sophisticated technology and escaped detection (by our radars), Hassan mentioned that the US stealth technology was exclusively possessed by the Americans. The question is: Why is not the PAF equipped with latest technology despite ever-increasing defence budget?
On the other hand, Air Chief Rao Qamar Suleman is awaiting orders – did not mention from whom – for shooting down drones, which have caused heavy human losses of innocent civilians inside Pakistan repeatedly reminding us of our vulnerability to unashamed violation of country’s sovereignty.
Ever-belligerent Opposition Leader Ch Nisar Ali Khan alleged General Pasha of ‘talking politics’ and demanded guarantee that such a blunder won’t be committed again. Certainly such an assurance falls beyond human capacity. However, Nisar’s estranged colleague Makhdoom Javed Hashmi’s suggestion to the General was pragmatic, “We forgive you as you are shouldering many responsibilities. However, dish out a few to us.”
In a way, the joint briefing apparently also absolved the political leadership of its responsibility to act as people’s mundane protectors. Secondly, is it really so that the army stood embarrassed and exposed, and it needed some sort of political cover?

Law Minister has objections to ISI’s political wing

While lauding the Inter-Services Intelligence for its role in thwarting and curtailing terrorists’ activities, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sana Ullah Khan has said people, including himself, can raise objections to the political wing of the ISI.
“People have serious objections to the ISI’s political wing, but no one can deny agency’s role for anti-terrorist work,” he said, while responding to a Call Attention Notice of Opposition Leader Ch Zaheer-ud-Din regarding bomb blast at the shrine of Hazrat Baba Fareed Gunj-e-Shakar (RA).
To a supplementary question of the Mover about the ISI's working in checking terrorism, Rana Sana clearly stated that the ISI was the best intelligence agency of the country and had played very important role in controlling terrorists’ activities. “The working of the ISI’s political wing can be controversial for others as this is true for me as well, but no one can raise finger at its anti-terrorism tasks,” he observed, while informing the house that security had been increased at the Shrine.
Later, Rana Sana and Minister Food Ch Abdul Ghafoor assured the House that the government was making efforts for resolving all issues concerning price-hike, and law and order, which were top priorities of the present rulers. They said this in their separate windup speeches after general discussions ‘Price-hike of essential commodities’ and law and order, which were kept pending from the last session, which ended in the last week of October this year.
Rana Sana attributed rise in crime to energy crises, and resultant closure of factories and industries causing unemployment and economic frustration. “Some forces create problems for the elected regimes, but when the former come to power, they stay for over one decade,” he said sans naming the Army. He also mentioned that the police was being prepared better for controlling crime. “Rs 50 billion have been allocated for the department, which was not very sufficient as out of this Rs 42b are paid as salaries and around Rs 4b are spent to pay for other utilities, while the rest of the amount is spent on the police welfare and training,” he added, while admitting that there was a lot to be done for bringing change in Police Culture. “Besides training, latest weapons are being provided to cops, so that they can perform their duties more efficiently,” he mentioned, while enlisting achievements of the police.
Abdul Ghafoor said the government was facilitating growers to the maximum extent, and his govt was aware of the problems being faced by the agriculture sector.
Earlier, Ch Zaheer bitterly criticised the Treasury for its alleged failure in controlling and curtailing terrorists’ activities. He mentioned other projects as failures of the government.

Amending two laws costs Rs 24m

The Punjab Assembly, which was prorogued for indefinite period here on Friday after remaining in session for 18 days, cost public exchequer Rs 24.86 million when amendments to only two laws were passed, while four important general discussions remain inconclusive, and yet another on flood tax was not initiated, like previously done regarding the law and order situation in specific reference to the Data Darbar blasts.
As per sources, each MPA is given about Rs 3000 per day besides salary, which means Rs 66000 will be paid to him for the 20th session. This way, besides other numerous expenses, in a House of 371 members, the government has spent around Rs 25m just for two amendments, in which most of the MPAs were either saying ‘Ayes’ or ‘Noes’. Except a few Opposition members, no one from the Treasury on the Floor has ever taken part in the legislation, besides raising hands or voices of dissent or consent as per indicated by Law Minister Rana Sanaullah. Certainly, not all of them had a lot to say during the Question-Hours as well, which are having a tradition of wrong, misleading, delayed and ambiguous replies, baffled and clueless parliamentary secretaries in the absence of ministers and unactualised directions from the Chair for taking action against the officers and departments concerned, while the Assembly also waited for the officials to arrive in their Gallery so that the proceedings could be started. Besides this, the august House is yet to ensure officers’ presence during discussions as well.
During Question-Hours, ministers admitted that wrong answers were submitted by departments, rampant corruption, lack of infrastructure and capacity to get the laws implemented, utterly failing in satisfying legislators, and giving irrelevant details, while quite a few questioners were found absent as well.
During the 20th session, amendments to Forest and Punjab Local Government bills were passed, while as such no new legislation was brought to the Floor for getting it passed.
Four general discussions on relief and rehabilitation of flood-affectees, price-hike of commodities, water shortage, law and order remain inconclusive, and there is a possibility that these would be taken in the next session.
The House also witnessed uproar because of Senior Minister Punjab Raja Riaz Ahmed passing of unnecessary derogatory remarks against PML-Q, his speeches against a newspaper group, and media bashing by PPP MPAs demanding probe assets of journalists and groups, while Rana Sana twice telling PPP for not using PA floor for personal agenda, and seeking reply about federal government’s corruption, which gave rise to a question: For how long will they pull along?
Through a unanimous resolution, the Assembly also demanded building national consensus for constructing Kalabagh Dam. Other important resolutions were about Kashmir and Dr Aafia Siddiqui, while another condemned General (r) Pervez Musharraf for derailing democracy 12 years back though the Opposition demanded that all dictators should be condemned too.

'PPP must not use PA for settling personal scores'

Suggesting PPP to use other platforms for rebutting allegations, Minister Law Rana Sanaullah has averred no single individual can bestow upon himself the tag of ‘Champion of Democracy’ since all, especially the media, have played an important for the restoration of democracy.
Speaking at the Assembly on Thursday, Rana Sana said the PPP should respond to all questions, and avoid using ‘the august house’ for its vested interests.
Earlier, PPP’ Shaukat Mahmood Basra interrupted smooth proceedings after the Question-Hour, when on a Point of Order, he drew the attention of the House towards what he claimed misreporting by a newspaper. “Neither, we wanted to bring a resolution nor the press gallery had boycotted the proceedings,” he asserted. His Party’s MPA Azma Zahid Bokhari said her name was mentioned for bringing a resolution, but there was nothing of the sort on the agenda. “In 1997-98, an action was taken by the then Nawaz Sharif government against the same media group, since the group had not paid the outstanding taxes. Instead of clearing the dues, the group was hatching conspiracies against the government. I am not against accountability, but it should be done on merit and nobody should be exempted,” he maintained.
Rana Sana replied that if the PPP legislator had any complaint against media, then he should use the proper forum of a special committee, headed by Minister Finance Tanvir Ashraf Kaira. “The PPP should settle its scores at some other place, instead of using this House for its vested interests. If the Party wanted to talk about all issues, then it must respond to 18 questions as well,” he said, while never mentioning the questions.
Basra asserted that law minister should not get his name enlisted among those who were making attempts at derailing democracy.
PML-N’s Syed Zaeem Qadri came to Rana’s defence, and asked the Deputy Speaker Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan to expunge Basra’s statement. He named Rana Sana as ‘Mujahid-e-Jamhooriat’ (Soldier of Democracy).
However, this debate came to a sudden halt when the Deputy Speaker at once picked up Call Attention Notice to discuss.
Later, Opposition Leader Ch Zaheeruddin drew the attention of the House to the inconclusive general discussions relief and rehabilitation of flood victims, price hike of commodities and law and order.

PPP, ‘N’ barter allegations openly at PA

The Question-Hour was a more-than-a-routine as a matter of fact, but the later barter of allegations by the coalition partners at the Punjab Assembly on Monday was certainly far less important than the official business of legislating the Punjab Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2010.
Most of the time was spent in tit-for-tat argumentation among the PPP and N-Leagues leaders, and Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan, instead of initiating legislation, adjourned the proceedings till Tuesday 10 am without finishing the agenda items. Apparently, the tangible reason was of impending inquorate house since the Opposition had already pointed the quorum once, and if it would have been done for the second time, the Treasury would have eaten humble pie certainly. Hence, neither the legislation was carried out nor general discussion on price hike of essential commodities continued or concluded.
The amendment in the Local Government Ordinance 2001 were earlier passed in the fourth week of February in which the last term of the LGs was brought to an abrupt end, and administrators were appointed, and it was legislated that the time for elections would be announced within next 180 days, which had lapsed in August. So the legislation must have been carried out before expiry of the time limit sought in the legislation, but the Assembly is yet to take it up though the present working of the LGs is in doubt. One wonders about the current legal status of the administrators as well.
Surely realising the importance of legislation – Assembly is obviously responsible for it as a primary duty – Opposition’s Mohsin Khan Leghari suggested the coalition to discuss these matters in the parliamentary meetings instead of bringing them on the Floor of Assembly, and wasting precious time of the House. Law Minister raised serious objection to it asserting that Leghari could not stop anybody from talking about different matters. To this, Leghari retorted by saying that if the coalition was talking about corruption in the Local Governments, and stories were run across the media, then the Drawing and Disbursing Officers, that is, the District Coordination Officers, were enjoying prime postings.
When Senior Minister Raja Riaz Ahmed had finished his bitter diatribe again a media group and its anchorperson, PPP members raised pro-Zardari slogans.
Later, Raja Riaz mentioned derogatory statement of President Supreme Court Bar Association Qazi Muhammad Anwar about all the assemblies, and demanded resolution. However, Rana Sana quizzed the Senior Minister about his party fellow Babar Awan’s handing over of Rs 1million cheque to Qazi Anwar. “First verify the news, and the status of the relationship, I have no objection to bringing resolution,” he observed. However, the matter seemed to be settled when PML-N’s Rana Ijaz Ahmed Khan opposed bringing the resolution. “We deem it irresponsibility,” he objected.

‘Preachers of morality’ making mockery of...

The Punjab Assembly on Friday was supposed to discuss imposition of the flood tax and conclude the general discussion on relief and rehabilitation of flood-affectees – continuing for the last two days – but the ‘preachers of the highest morality’ were found indulgent in bickering and frivolities by preferring to settle scores instead of doing anything tangible for the poor masses.
After much of the time was lost to fuss and usual over an-hour-delay to the start of proceedings, consequently neither the general discussion was continued nor concluded, while the subject of flood tax was not even initiated though Opposition’s Mohsin Leghari had reminded the Chair about it, which was also at the fag end of the day’s proceedings. Ultimately seeing no end to the bickering, Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan warned that he would take action against members found indulgent in inappropriate behaviour and the usage of foul language.
After the Question-Hour, on a Point of Order Opposition’s Dr Samia Amjad repeated her Thursday’s speech, and mentioned that nothing was done about the contractors’ payments of Rs 131billion – yesterday she said it to be Rs 30bn – which were yet to be paid by the government. Opposition’s traditional rival, its-once-very-own but now a Detractor Shaikh Alauddin was about to respond on Treasury’s behalf when the Doctor raised serious objection to it questioning the Chair: “Who is this Lota (turncoat) trying to protect the Treasury and become mouth piece of the govt?” This was enough to annoy the Shaikh, who started shouting at the top his voice and uttered lewd expressions – cannot be written – about the Doctor, which were expunged by the Speaker. The Doctor-Detractor verbal onslaught did not stop till Speaker intervened to observe that such indecent words must not be used on the floor warning “otherwise I will have to take strict action.”
PPP’s Shaukat Mahmood Basra, while giving piece of his mind, averred that when all other sections of the society, like the militarymen, were protecting themselves, the politicians must not indulge in mudslinging on each other.
Secondly, it was again the Doctor who raised the issue of the appointment of Board of Governors in colleges and teachers’ protest. She requested Law Minister Rana Sanaullah to listen to the representatives, who was visibly less inclined to do so. At this, Minister Labour Ashraf Sohna observed that because of autonomy and institutionalising of the BoGs would push the poor to the darkness since fees would be increased beyond their reach. “The decision has been taken without taking the cabinet and committees concerned into confidence,” he maintained. Rana Sana retorted to this by asserting that Sohna had prepared a speech and he wanted to deliver it. “He is playing to the gallery,” commented Rana Sana, which left the Labour Minister protesting. He told the Speaker that he would keep on standing on the floor till his cabinet colleague would eat his words. Despite Speaker’s request, both ministers did not budge an inch from their stated positions and bartered tit-for-tat ‘childish’ statement for quite sometime till Sohna’s took his seat.
However, Minister Law’s further statement showed his ignorance about the issue when he said the govt would talk to teacher’s association, and after a consensus decision, the policy would be implemented. He did not know that these institutions had already implemented the policy. None of the MPAs questioned Rana’s ‘knowledge’.
Later, MMA’s Ali Haider Noor Khan Niazi, who demanded disqualification of MPAs seeking extension in the submission of reports, when Mohsin Leghari sought extension for submitting report of the Public Accounts Committee-I. The Chair expunged Niazi’s remarks, who was not keeping quiet despite Speaker’s repeated requests, and the latter whispered though quite audible in the press gallery, “He (Niazi) has gone nuts.”