New provinces creation: Govt agrees to reconstitute commission
05 September, 2012
ISLAMABAD: The government on Tuesday invited the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to reconstitute the parliamentary commission for creation of new provinces in Punjab after the latter took up the issue in the National Assembly. PML-N lawmaker Khawaja Saad Rafiq severely criticised the parliamentary commission on new provinces and asked the government not to make it controversial as his party had agreed to carve out new provinces of Punjab. This prompted Law Minister Farooq H Naek to show the readiness of the government to hold meeting with the opposition on the reconstitution of the commission. Naek, however, contended that the commission was formed as per rules and the government was ready to induct the members on the opposition's advise. Rafique asked, "Why was the commission made controversial when there was consensus for new provinces among all political parties?" He urged the government to induct impartial members and technocrats in the commission and stressed that it should not be made a matter of ego, as it would only damage the country. The Rimsha Masih case again figured strongly in the proceedings when members, particularly from minorities, expressed their serious concern over the case. PPP MNA Khattu Mal called for stopping misuse of the blasphemy law and said in an emotional tone that minorities were also part of the country. PML-N member Dr Darshan urged for impartial inquiry into the case. PPP lawmaker Dr Nafeesa Shah suggested that all political and religious parties should ponder after the recent misuse of the law. On a point of order, PPP legislator Shazia Marri rejected the notion of forced or deliberate load shedding in certain parts of the country and said that all provinces were equally facing this situation. Earlier, on a calling attention notice, members from Sindh criticised the Meteorological Department and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for wrong flood predictions and poor arrangements to cope with the disaster. Climate Change Minister Farooq Saeed Khan assured members that steps were being taken to cope with disasters. Earlier, moving the political parties amendment bill, Riaz Fatiana said that the aim of the bill was to urge the federal government to provide finances to political parties as per their strength in parliament. He said financially weaker political parties could not fully contest elections, therefore the bill would ensure that they also get finances and field their candidates in elections. End.
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