Bill tabled in Senate amid sharp opposition

ISLAMABAD Chairman Constitutional Reforms Committee Senator Mian Raza Rabbani Monday tabled the Constitutional (18th Amendment) Bill in the Upper House amid strong opposition by the PML-Q over the issue of NWFP renaming. PML-Q Senator and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Wasim Sajjad opposed the Bill, after which Senator Mian Raza Rabbani made a detailed presentation over the Bill. He explained the important provisions of the Bill pertaining to the issue of provincial autonomy and enhancement of power of the Senate. He said that the issue of provincial autonomy was (perhaps) not totally resolved but said the Bill was a major step forward in this direction. He added that only strong provinces could constitute a strong Federation. Rabbani said that he was unhappy over the Hazara incidents and urged political parties not to politicise the issue of NWFP renaming. Earlier, a rumpus took place over the issue of NWFP renaming and the killing of protestors in Hazara Division. PML-N Senator Zafar Ali Shah and Jamaat-e-Islami Senator Prof Khurshid moved an adjournment motion to discuss the situation emerged out of the killing of protestors against renaming of NWFP into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Prof Khurshid initiated the debate and said that elements using the issue for their political motives were not sincere with anyone. He demanded judicial inquiry into the killing of protestors and action against the concerned police officials. He also urged the Prime Minister to convene a meeting of the heads of all parties and an all parties conference to settle the issue. Senator Zafar said that NWFP was already under international conspiracies and that he would oppose renaming of the province even if his party kicks him out. Senator Wasim Sajjad said that PML-N and ANP should revisit the new nomenclature of the province. Senator Babar Khan Ghauri said that MQM stood by the issues already sorted out. He, however, condemned the police action against the peaceful protestors. Senator Raja Zafrul Haq said that tabling of the Bill should be delayed for creation of consensus over renaming of NWFP. Salim Saifullah said that ANP leaders always talked of peace but their government used brutal force against peaceful protestors. He said he always opposed renaming of NWFP keeping in the view the resultant chaos. Abdur Raheem Mandokhel said that the incidents in Hazara should not be linked with the issue of renaming, and the 18th Amendment Bill should not be sabotaged. He called for judicial inquiry of the happenings. Senator Dr Malik said that PML-Q should not sabotage the consensus amendments in the Constitution. Senator Khalid Soomro said that no one should object to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He, too, demanded judicial probe of the incidents in Hazara. FATA Senator Abbas Khan said that political parties were misguiding innocent people for their political gains. PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain called for deferring the tabling of the Bill for creation of consensus over renaming of the NWFP. Senator Afrasiab Khattak explained ANPs position over the Hazara incidents and assured that strict action would be taken against responsible police officers. He said the protests were peaceful for fourteen to fifteen days but the situation deteriorated when certain parties entered into clashes in the area. He said the ANP government would take care of the interests of every resident of the province, adding that ANPs Senior Vice President Haji Adeel was a Hindko-speaking person. Leader of the House Nayyar Hussain Bukhari said while winding up the motion that PPP is opposed violence and state aggression right from its inception. He said political parties were bringing about consensus amendments in the Constitution after 37 years, which, he said, should not be sabotaged. He urged upon Chief Minister NWFP to carry out judicial probe of the police action taken against the protestors. The House was adjourned till Tuesday 10am amidst presentation of Senator Raza Rabbani upon request of Senator Prof Khurshid Ahmed.