ISLAMABAD - JAVAID-UR-RAHMAN - The National Assembly on Thursday once again witnessed severe criticism from the ruling PPP on receiving proforma from Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which is calling for submission of fresh affidavits about dual nationality matter.
“Being Member National Assembly (MNA) has almost become a sin, as there are certain suspicions on their academic certificates. They are receiving proforma about dual nationality matter and I doubt they might ask for DNA test as well,” said PPP legislator Aijaz Virk raising serious concerns on proforma from ECP about dual nationality issue.
Virk, on point of order, also pointed out some language mistakes in the proforma received from Election Commission.
The lawmakers from the ruling PPP two days before had registered their objections in the House for receiving a proforma calling for submission of fresh affidavits, terming it a disgrace in the name of dual nationality. The House sans the presence of Leader of the House Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Leader of the Opposition Ch Nisar Ali Khan and other some senior legislators started around two hours late of its schedule time. Responding to concerns raised from Opposition benches about shortage of gas supply, Adviser to PM Dr Asim informed the House that a scheme was under consideration to separate winter and summer charges.
“Winter tariff may be change from summer as it would be finally decided in ECC or Cabinet meeting,” he shared with the House, while terming the issuance of licence for CNG stations in a bulk form a wrong decision. In response to questions from Opposition benches, Dr. Asim said he could provide a list for obliging PML-N legislators on their personal matters.
“I always welcomed members from any party as there is no discrimination,” he said, inviting a hullabaloo from PML-N members who stood up on their seats. But the situation cooled down in a minute when Dr.Asim said that he was ready for any services.
PML-N legislator Khurram Dastagir also clarified that he had mentioned about SNGPL not about him (Dr.Asim).
Dr.Asim further informed the House that petroleum product prices have been increased during the last six months in line with the price trend in the international market. “OGRA is an independent authority‚ working under the Cabinet Division, which is dealing with it,” he added.
Earlier, Defence Minister Syed Naveed Qamar , during question-hour session, informed the House that five PIA aircraft have been permanently grounded by PIA during the last four years. These were grounded as per the decision of Board of Directors of PIAC, he said.
He said that every aircraft has flying age and after specific period it was replaced.
To another questions, he said that present government‚ governments of Punjab and Sindh‚ Pakistan Baitul Maal and Bahria Town Administration have compensated the bereaved families of victims of fire incidents in the factories at Karachi and Lahore. The House also offered Fateha for former member National Assembly Dr. Sher Afgan Niazi and former MNA Ashiq Diyal.