ISLAMABAD - The opposition lawmakers in Thursday’s National Assembly session advised the PML-N government to avoid arrest of political workers in connection with the Azadi March and need not be panic before August 14.
The opposition parties came down hard on the government for allegedly impounding motorcycles to create hindrance in the PTI’S protest rally.
“Need not to harass the people and make August 14 before the August 14. Those who are ‘more loyal to the king’ are actually creating problems for the incumbent government,” said leader of opposition leader Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, on point of order, adding that every citizen has full democratic right to freely live his/her life.
“Why the government by this action is creating problem for those million of motorcyclists who are not intending to participate the PTI’s rally,” Shah said and suggested the government to return these impounded motorbikes to their owners.
He also taunted the government has no sense how to fight with opponents.  “There is a need of patience to cool down political temperature,” he added.
Supporting his voice, PTI’s senior lawamker Javed Hashmi pointed out that the government is much panic over this situation. “None has taken unconstitutional step, then why this government is panic...parliament is last refuge so don’t take such measure,” he cautioned.
MQM leader Farooq Sattar went some extra mile in his criticism by saying that the PML-N government is pushing itself in a dark alley. “Avoid indulging in confrontation and adopt a political way for strengthening democracy,” he said opposing the move for issuing tax notices to Tahir ul Qadri.
JI legislator Sher Akbar Khan, on point of order, said that the government should pursue the path of reconciliation to avoid confrontation.
MNA Sheikh Rashid Ahmed once again warned the government against adopting different tactics to create hindrance in rallies and sit-ins. “Avoid doing this, lest the PPP and MQM join hands to participate in these rallies,” he cautioned.
Responding to the concerns raised by opposition parties, State Minister Sheikh Aftab said that the government is not impounding motorcycles in any cities.
“Police can check motorbikes under the law,” he said, saying certain elements want to drive the country into chaos.
He apparently challenged that PTI could not be able to gather 100,000 motorbikes. He also warned the opposition parties if any extra-constitutional step was taken then its outcome could be never good.
Earlier, initiating debate on presidential address to the parliament, Khursheed Shah said that the government has given sacrifices for democracy to flourish democracies in the country. “We need to ascertain why things are getting worse,” he said adding that they need to respect the mandate of each other.
Quoting the previous examples, he said political maturity is need of the hour to avoid confrontation. “Nawaz Sharif and Benazir even not exchanged greetings at that time in the parliament but this is beauty of political maturity that Nawaz Sharif today shakes hand with me before sitting on his seat,” he said.
Earlier, two bills were introduced in the house to further amend the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947 and to repeal the Equity Participation Fund Ordinance, 1970.
Both the bills were introduced in the House by Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid on behalf of Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs and Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
The bills included the Foreign Exchange Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and the Equity Participation Fund (Repeal) Bill, 2014.
Meanwhile, Chairman Special Committee on Parliament Lodges Shaikh Rohale Asghar also presented the report of the committee on Parliament Lodges in the House.