ISLAMABAD - After a weeklong break the joint session of the parliament on Wednesday resumed diatribe against protesting parties (PAT and PTI), besides discussing matters related to miseries of flood-hit areas, Balochistan’s law and order situation and Army’s role in current political situation.
The house with the thin presence of the lawmakers from both sides of aisle resumed debate on prevailing political situation. Legislators mainly from opposition benches shared their suggestions and criticism on political deadlock in the country.
Taking the floor, PPP’s Senator Saeed Ghani in his speech not only criticised protesting parties but also discussed Army’s role in the current political stalemate. “We should give proper support to our prime institutions like army, but these institutions should also behave in a manner that nobody could raise finger at them,” he said, adding that they were supporting ruling party only for continuation of democratic system.
“If Imran, Fazalur Rahman or any one other was in this situation (as is PM Nawaz Sharif), would their (army’s) stance be same then,” he said and remarked that how the Army can remain neutral when state and its institutions are under attack. “It should not remain impartial in such a situation”, he added.
He further elaborated that the impartiality of the Army is understandable but at this juncture it’s not the PML-N which is under siege but the state is facing a dilemma. He said that in current political standoff there was lack of clarity in the statements of Army and its spokesman.
Taking the floor on point of order, PPP’s Senator Raza Rabbani floated a proposal for the revival of Parliamentary Committee on National Security. He believed that it should play an institutional role between various stakeholders. He also proposed that Senate should be given the representation in Public Accounts Committee (PAC) through three to four observers.
Rabbani further asked for forming joint parliamentary committee to remove the hurdles in legislation in both the house and a joint committee for rules and privileges under joint sitting rules of the constitution. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq taking a prompt action asked the government and opposition to sort out the issues.
Opposition Leader in NA Syed Khursheed Shah on point of order said the government should contact Indian government to help the flood-hit Kashmiris across the Line of Control. Minister for Kashmir Affairs Barjees Tahir said the government would consult the Foreign Office in this regard.”We will contact New Delhi through Foreign Office to play our role in this situation,” he said.
Responding to concern raised by Senator Zahid Khan, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan strongly criticised the KP CM Pervaiz Khattak for spending most of his time in PTI’s sit-in and ignoring the sensitive security situation.”I will submit a detailed report in the house,” he said.
PPP Senator Rahman Malik proposed that parliament should pass a law to empower PM with indemnity. He, at the same time, also asked for withdrawing cases against workers of PTI and PAT registered under MPO. The former interior minister stressed the need to observe ceasefire on both sides (protesting parties and government) to resolve the issue. There is need to move forward to the resolution of the deadlock, he added.
Giving clarification about the aeroplane incident in Karachi, Malik said he and PML-N MNA were reportedly expelled from the plane for causing delay in its departure but this was not true. “I opted not to travel on that flight,” he said, and expressed his regret over the ordeal of PML-N MNA Ramesh. He said that case should be registered under terrorism act against those who forcibly expelled the MNA from the plane.
Earlier, Senator Zahid Khan said that KPK chief minister and his cabinet colleagues were sitting in Islamabad for over one month while law and order situation in the province was not good.
 Senator Naseema Ehsan of BNP-A said that large scale rigging was carried out in Balochistan in previous elections. She said Pakistan Army and security institutions should not be made target of criticism.