ISLAMABAD - Albeit strong opposition and criticism from the PML-N, the PPP-led government in the national assembly succeeded on Monday in getting validated the orders issued by former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani during his post-conviction days in office.The House passed the bill to validate acts, orders and other instruments done, made and issued from April 26 – the day he was convicted of contempt – to June 19 – when he was removed from office. This validation bill was passed after thorough discussions by the legislators of treasury and opposition.The PML-N lawmakers insisted that a blanket validation should not be given to Gilani’s acts for this period of time but PPP legislators argued that the bill should be passed, as the court order was retrospective in operation. PML-N member Zahid Hamid, who took the floor thrice on this issue, read out the order of Supreme Court (SC) on this matter, saying that all the actions taken by the former PM in this particular period cannot be given legal cover. “Many important decisions were taken in this period”, he said, demanding that a proper list of all such acts should be shared with them.Nawaz League MNA Bashir Virk said Gilani was disqualified in principle on April 26, 2012 so his decisions made after this date should not be given a blanket indemnity. “Provision of blanket indemnity would be tantamount to the practice of dictators as they forcibly passed any bill to clean themselves,” Virk said.Saira Afzal Tarar of PML-N raised objected mentioning “in minutes that it (the bill) was unanimously approved” despite the fact that his party lawmakers had opposed it in the standing committee. PPP’s Begum Nasim Akhtar clarified that it was a clerical mistake as it was approved by the ‘majority’ of members in fact. “It will be corrected but it (the bill) needs to be passed in the house,” she added. Khurram Dastagir of PML-N requested the prime minister and other member from treasury benches to resist it.Law Minister Farooq H Naek, who moved the bill, strongly supported the blanket validation of Gilani’s actions for that specific period. “It is not mentioned any act that acts and action were illegal,” he said, adding that the SC order was retrospective in operation. He said that the house has passed ‘The Trade Organisation Bill,2012’ which had section-36 regarding validation of actions in quite similar manner, but no objection was raised from opposition benches then. On that, PML-N MNA Zahid Hamid said that if anything was overlooked by the opposition then everything should not be considered as correct.During the session, MQM legislator Iqbal Qadri moved a resolution condemning Israel aggression against Palestinians which was deferred until today (Tuesday) as government and opposition said they also wanted to move similar resolutions which should be passed unanimously. The lawmakers from all parties urged the Ummah to forge unity. “American technology is being used by Israel in these attacks, which is a matter of concern,” said MQM’s Abdul Khanzada. PML-N legislator Rana Tanvir also condemned the attacks while PPP’s Jamshaid Dasti proposed that Muslims form an Islamic army.Earlier, the house passed ‘The Trade Organisation Bill, 2012’ moved by Law Minister Farooq H Naek. The statement of objectives and reason read, ‘all trade bodies were earlier functioning under trade organisations ordinance, 1961 which had certain inherent shortcoming and did not cater to the needs of service sector and gender-based women entrepreneurs to become effective business in true sense’.The house also witnessed much furore soon after the appearance of Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, as he spent most of his time signing applications of various legislators from treasury and opposition benches. The uproar continued till the departure of Raja.