Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) legislators on Monday indulged in verbal clash during Punjab Assembly session that made the cracks visible within the coalition government. Although differences between the allied parties were there since the inception of the coalition government, but the two parties never showed it on the floor of the House; in fact they always blanketed the differences with words like 'reconciliation politics'.
In a rare occurrence, a PPP backbencher belted the government for corruption and ill-conceived policies. Shaukat Basara of PPP started the assault on the PML-N in the presence of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Initially, on a point of order, he complained about the rudeness of a DCO and DPO of his area towards him, which he believed was breach of his privilege. His emotional speech had another message for the PML-N, 'without the PPP support, there would be no PML-N chief minister'.
He taunted the ruling government by stating that in the eyes of the bureaucrats, worth of a MPA is less than a 'sasti roti', who show no respect to the legislators, although they (MPAs) are voted to the House by the people. He lamented the government for deteriorating law and order situation and widespread corruption in the province.
The PML-N's prompt response came from Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah. He challenged the PPP MPA to have a debate on corruption. Though his remarks 'the debate would not be limited to Punjab only, corruption at all level would be discussed', he implicitly implicated the PPP government in corruption. He stated that during the present government's rule, not a single corruption scandal has surfaced. He wished the PPP's federal government could make this claim. He reminded the PPP backbencher to follow the House's rule of procedure for redressal of his grievance and should have tabled a privilege motion.
Even the Punjab Chief Minister's response reflected dissatisfaction with his coalition partner. He admitted that corruption was widespread in government departments, but it is a legacy they (PML-N) inherited from the previous government. He observed that unabated corruption in last the 10 years has increased poverty and unemployment in the country.
He defended his government against the accusation of bribery in government departments, and said that in his two and a half years rule stern measures has been taken to control corruption. However, he also pinched the PPP by suggesting that all political parties should sit together and find ways to bring back all the plundered wealth from abroad.
However, later Punjab Senior Minister and PPP Parliamentary Leader Raja Riaz tried to change the mood of the House by assuring the PML-N of PPP's reconciliatory approach in politics. Although, he defended his backbencher, he told the House that his leadership has directed them (PPP in Punjab) to maintain a reconciliatory approach with the Punjab government.
He criticised a section of media and journalists for unfair coverage of the PPP government and accused them of being 'Indian agents'. He accused them of creating a rift between the federal government and judiciary. "They will fail in their evil design of hurting Asif Ali Zardari and the PPP government," he added.
Raja Riaz's emotional words about his leader and party charged the PPP legislators, who shouted pro-Zardari slogans. However, a happy mood of the PPP benchers short-lived when PML-N parliamentary secretary Muhammad Saeed Mughal passed unpleasant remarks against PPP, which also dampened Raja Riaz's reconciliatory efforts. Even Speaker Muhammad Rana Iqbal was surprised over Mughal's utterance and in the end he (Mughal) had to tender an apology to appease the PPP quarters.
The House took up question-answer session on forestry, wildlife and fisheries departments. As usual, the concerned minister was not present on the occasion and thus in his place parliamentary secretary Pir Ashraf Rasool had to face the music. The legislators grilled him for giving half-baked answers and on many occasion the Speaker bailed him out.
The Punjab Local Government (Amendment) Act 2010 and a general discussion on 'price hike of essential commodities' were on the House's agenda, but the 'chosen people' gave preference to 'settling scores' over attending to serious official business. The Speaker adjourned the House till Tuesday morning.
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