ISLAMABAD – Reacting strongly over Rehman Malik’s appointment as adviser to the prime minister on interior, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Tuesday staged a walkout from the Senate to protest what they said flouting of the apex court's orders by the PPP-led government.
Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan on a point of order said the notification of the Malik’s appointment had been issued a day after the Supreme Court suspended his membership of the Senate over his dual nationality. He said this was a clear disregard to the apex court's decision and the PPP-led federal government should at least honour this decision though it did not accept its previous decisions. Senate’s Deputy Chairman Sabir Baloch did not permit Mushahid Ullah to speak more on the issue despite his insistence and gave the floor of the House to Senator Talha Mahmood and after that PML-N staged a walk-out from the House.
Deputy chairman said the matter was sub judice and thus could not be discussed in the House while Khan was of the view that he was speaking on the government's decision.
Earlier, Senator Saeed Ghani of PPP on a point of order said that there was ambiguity on the issue of holding dual nationality by the members of the parliament and the law minister should be called to brief the House on it. He also implicitly criticising the Supreme Court said if someone (member of the parliament) violated Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution, it was the domain of Election Commission of Pakistan to issue notice to him and SC should not assume the responsibilities of EC. He said SC used to take up these cases and issued notices without holding an inquiry or any proof. Deputy chairman directed Leader of the House to call Attorney General (AG) for a briefing by 6 pm sharp, as Law Minister Farooq H Naek was not present in the capital.
Senator Gul Mohammad Lot, taking part in the budget debate, appreciated the federal government for presenting its 5th consecutive budget. He in his written speech said the PPP-led federal government by presenting the 5th budget had proved that it had the ability to run the country; though the first Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, from PML-N, of this coalition government had declared the country a bankrupt.
Senior parliamentarian, M Hamza in his speech, launched an attack against President Asif Ali Zardari for keeping its assets in Switzerland and against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for continuing as PM even after his conviction. Hamza had to face criticism from PPP ranks over his remarks against Zardari, but he continued his speech. He criticised the government for appointing blue-eyed persons as heads of important government functionaries ignoring merit and for its alleged involvement in corruption. He said power crisis in the country was due to the incompetence of the rulers.
Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan of MQM said economy of the country could be revived by ending corruption, holding every person accountable, reviewing Afghan Transit Trade Agreement and getting rid of IMF. He proposed that collection of income tax should be increased, the rate of sales tax be decreased from 16 to 12 per cent, indirect taxes and government expenditure be decreased and the local industry should be revitalised to revive the industry thus boosting economy to provide relief to the masses.
Senator Talha Mahmood, Tuesday's last speaker, said the government should reinforce private sector to end unemployment instead of expending on BISP. He said PIA and PR should be reconstructed, import duties should be increased and the provinces should be given maximum opportunity to benefit from their natural resources.