ISLAMABAD - The PML-N government, despite enjoying a two-third majority in the National Assembly, failed for the second time to get “The Pakistan Commissions of Inquiry Bill, 2016,” passed for lack of quorum.
The opposition MNAs, in a dramatic move, after terming it a “Save Nawaz Sharif bill”, left the house in protest and PPP MNA Shagufta Jumani drew the attention of the chair towards lack of quorum. Interestingly, the PTI is already boycotting the current session.
The house witnessed an interesting situation as some opposition members were standing outside the door of the house busy exchanging light comments with the government members.
Opposition members were seen criticising the government for not having required strength. They felt happy when the chair announced, “The house is not in order due to quorum,” and adjourned the proceedings.
PPP lawmakers, in their speeches, even warned the government of serious repercussions for passing this bill with the intentions to save prime minister and his family.
The government members, on the other hand, made an attempt to say it was not related to the Panama leaks.
The government bill allegedly provides for the constitution of a powerful commission for investigation into Panama Papers issue as well as others.
According to the government, the scope of the commission will be wider and will have all the authority to constitute special teams of experts as well as international teams to get the required information. Law and Justice Minister Zahid Hamid, defending the bill, clarified it was not related to the Panama controversy.
“What made you make amendments in the bill after 60 years, it clearly shows there is something wrong,” said PPP’s Naveed Qamar, adding the government would not succeed in its motives to get it passed from the Senate. “Don’t think you will be able to succeed in your attempts,” he said.
Another PPP lawmaker, Nafeesa Shah, said, “If the government wants to pass a general bill, why is it ignoring the opposition’s bill on the Panama issue?”
Aijaz Jhakrani from the PPP said the purpose of passing this bill was to save the prime minister in the Panama leaks issue. He also threatened with street protests against the government.
Jamaat-e-Islami MNAs, Sher Akbar and Sahibzada Tariq Ullah, were of the view that it was an attempt to tie the hands of the judiciary. “The matter is sub judice and the government’s intentions are to save someone,” said Sahibzada Tariq Ullah.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement lawmaker Iqbal Qadri said the bill was against the constitution. “This bill is against Article 142 of the Constitution,” he said.
A dissenting note of Qadri on the bill said, “The commission shall consist of not more than five members. The members of the commission shall be retired judges of the Supreme Court or the high courts.”
According to the government bill, on some matters the need has been perceived for a commission with powers more than those that can be conferred under the act. “It is, therefore, considered desirable that a new law be enacted, enabling the government to confer additional powers on a commission of inquiry where the nature of the issue is being inquired into,” it says.
“Accordingly, the Pakistan Commission of Inquiry Bill, 2016, has been prepared to achieve these objectives,” says the bill.
A clause of the bill, Protection of action taken in good faith, says, “No suit or other legal proceedings shall lie against the federal government, the commission or any member, or any person acting under the direction either of the federal government of the commission in respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this act or of any rules or orders made there under or in respect of the publication.”
Earlier, the government side faced much criticism from opposition over passing ordinances in the house with the power of its numerical strength.
Responding to a call-attention notice moved by Tahira Aurangzeb and others regarding the nature of current 3-TV dramas promoting the ratio of divorce in the country, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb told the house that any news or entertainment violating societal impact should be stopped and the Pemra has sent advisories to all the channels to check this practice.
Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid presented before the National Assembly “The Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill, 2016".
Rana Muhammad Afzal also presented before the house the Annual Report of the State Bank of Pakistan on the state of Pakistan’s economy for the year 2015-2016.