Govt foils opp bid to disrupt NA proceedings
08 June, 2012
ISLAMABAD: The treasury on Thursday foiled the opposition's bid to disrupt National Assembly (NA) proceedings on the issue of quorum by managing to keep required strength of its members in the House. The PML-N attempted to block proceedings of the House by pointing out quorum three times. Repeating his practice of a day earlier, PML-N member Chaudhry Saud Majeed came to the House and then rushed to the lobby outside to avoid the head count. However, the treasury side was prepared this time to keep the required number of its members present in the House. "It is mockery of parliament," said Religious Affairs Minister Khursheed Shah, responding to an objection raised by Saud Majeed. Riaz Hussain Pirzada from the PML-Q also criticised the opposition, saying, "Pointing out quorum is a bad parliamentary practice." Commenting on the PML-N's protest campaign against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Pirzada said that it was unfortunate that a unanimously elected prime minister was being pushed for resignation. After their failure to get the House adjourned, PML-N members, who were present in NA lobbies, entered the House and started raising slogans against the government. The moment opposition members started making a noise, additional gadgets were turned on and the voice of PPP's Akhunzada Chittan, who was delivering a speech, overcame the opposition's ruckus. Acting NA Speaker Fasial Karim Kundi also ruined the opposition's move by suspending proceedings for prayer while the PML-N was protesting in the House. Taking part in the budget debate, the PPP's Syed Zafar Ali Shah criticised his own government over a number of issues. He lamented that he could give suggestions "but I am aware of the fact that the government will not pay any heed to them". Questioning the government's moves for the creation of Saraiki province, he said that it had been done to fuel confrontation. He added that circumstances had worsened to such a level that "I fear there will either be imposition of emergency in the country or term of the incumbent government be increased". He said that the government had presented its fifth budget but "I am not sure where from this money will come". Shah lamented that the government had not made efforts to improve the tax culture whereas provincial governments were least concerned about tax collection. Commenting on the opposition's absence from the House, he said that it would have been better had the opposition leader given his input over budget. Abdul Qadir Patel from the PPP said, "We have sacrificed a lot and will not quit the government in line with demanded of the opposition." "During our government, we have made parliament sovereign and now every matter such as blockade of NATO supply lines is discussed here," he added. Kishan Chand Parwani from the PML-Q also criticised the government's performance. End.
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