Dr Sher Afgan Niazi, who joined the Patriots, was surprisingly back to the front row in the National Assembly on Thursday, the day when the session was prorogued.
Why he occupied a back seat on the treasury benches during this particular session and why he returned to his seat in the front row is a mystery. He himself was not ready to make any comment. But a lot can be said on this changing of places.
When Business Recorder asked him for comments, he just smiled it off, saying, "Nobody asked me to do so. It was my own sweet will to assume a seat in the last row and then come back to the front benches."
However, there seems a possibility of his getting representation in the Cabinet or named the Patriots parliamentary party leader in the assembly.
Contrary to that, reports have it that he was an avid aspirant for the slot of minister for law and justice, presently 'occupied' by the over six feet tall young Barrister, Raza Hayat Harraj, a Patriot MNA.
To show his dismay, when denied representation in the cabinet, he changed his seat in the House. (Niazi had served as law minister in PPP government.) Accordingly, his interest in the proceedings also took a plunge. He was usually seen gossiping with fellow legislators or discussing some points with MP Bhandara or Ishaq Khakwani with the copy of the Constitution lying before him.
It is unclear why he returned to his seat, beside Defence Minister Sikandar Iqabl, in the front row, and that, too, on the last day of the session.
Throughout the proceedings, since November 2002, he has been vocal and made his presence felt by quoting rules of House business every now and then. Opposition chanted 'lota, lota' (turncoat) whenever he was given the floor to explain any legal or constitutional matter.
The Speaker usually sought help from him 'as constitutional expert'. After the 10-member PPPP group announced to form PPPP-Patriots in November 2002, Dr Niazi followed suit on the floor of the House.
PPPP legislators ridicule him. He avoids going to the opposition benches, unlike other Patriot Ministers Harraj and Faisal Saleh Hayat who are seen chatting with their fellow MNAs of their former party.
Up till the 13th session of the National Assembly, which began last month, he was always prompt in bailing out the chair from any complicated position due to opposition pandemonium or any technical point relating to the rules of business and conduct of the House.
However, he all of a sudden changed his attitude towards what was happening in the House and on Thursday, came back to his original position.
Was it a decision from within or some assurance was given to the veteran parliamentarian is a question which only time may answer.
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