Although, the treasury as well as Opposition members of the National Assembly spent two hours, they were not able to take a decision on the list of items to be made part of the agenda for the session. They did not even utter a single word on the devastation that the floods have caused across the country. They also could not decide in two hours on the number of days or duration of this session.
-- We can't remain silent on Altaf's statement: PML (N)
-- MQM doesn't want confrontation with any party: Sattar
PML-N, which has requisitioned the session of the National Assembly, did not attend the meeting of House Advisory Committee. Soon after House began its business, Speaker Dr Fahmida Mirza administrated oath to four members elected in the by-elections.
Afterwards, the Speaker sought to have a sense of the House about the course or order of proceedings. The Speaker also sought suggestions from the members about the duration of the session. Although, the members of the Opposition and Treasury came up with some proposals, they could not take a final decision.
Chaudhry Nisar said that Prime Minister had promised to establish a commission to collect funds for the flood-affected people, but he had not created such a body so far. He said that the Prime Minister was required to inform the house about his failure in this regard.
About the statement of MQM chief Altaf Hussain, he said although the statement was aimed at the government, it was silent in this regard. "If we also remain silent on such statements and do not respond befittingly, our complacency will tantamount to violation of the constitution under which we have taken oath. It is not a personal matter but it is in the interest of the country and democracy. It will be a big sin if we remain silent on it," he said.
He said that political forces in Pakistan had attained maturity. "We have made a pledge in Charter of Democracy (CoD) that we will never support any military dictator and we will stick to our pledge," he said. The Opposition Leader said the government delayed the session of the National Assembly, although the Prime Minister had promised to summon the session on August 16.
About the proceedings of the House, he said that Question-Hour session should not be suspended and that session should go on at least till Tuesday. At the same time, he said, "Madam Speaker, you can adjourn the House on the death of former Justice Abdul Razak A. Thahim after paying glowing tributes to him."
While responding to the comments of the Opposition leader, Farooq Sattar of MQM said that Altaf Hussain did not talk of changing the government but had underscored the need for changing the system. "The MQM does not want confrontation with any party, including PML-N," he said.
Riaz Hussain Prizada of PML-Q said that many people had been martyred in three blasts in Lahore on Wednesday, as Punjab government had failed to protect the lives of innocent people. "Today no member in the House said a single word on this carnage. I have lost trust in the Parliament and other institutions of the government," Pirzada said. Afterwards, he announced that he was staging a walkout from the House in protest and said that if anybody wanted to join him could do so. All the members of PML-Q and MQM joined him in the protest.
After a short while, all the members of PML-Q and MQM joined the proceeding after they were persuaded by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Federal Minister for Labour and Manpower. Later, the members paid tribute to former Justice Abdul Razak A. Thahim and said he was an honest person and played a significant role in promoting democracy. They also lauded his important role in the preparation of recommendations for 18th Amendment.
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