Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Monday submitted in the National Assembly an adjournment motion to discuss $1.5 billion credited to Pakistan Development Fund by a friendly Muslim country. The motion is meant for the coming session of the National Assembly, which is likely to be held on March 24. According to sources, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has submitted a summary to the Prime Minister for holding 10th session of the National Assembly on March 24, 2014 at 4:00pm.
The sources said the opposition intends to raise the modalities of the $1.5 billion assistance to Pakistan by a friendly Muslim country and the on-going government negotiations with Taliban groups. According to an adjournment motion submitted by PPP MNAs' Syed Naveed Qamar, Dr NAfisa Shah, Dr Azra Fazal, Mrs Shazia Mari & Mrs Beelum Husnain in the National Assembly Secretariat, "we the undersigned request that the proceedings of the House be adjourned to discuss the urgent and serious matter related to the mysterious, sudden, unpredictable and unexpected rise of the Pak rupee against the dollar recently. Subsequently, the Finance Minister admitted that this was due to a contribution, which he termed a 'gift' of 1.5 billion US$ from 'friendly country' which was later reported to be the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."
The adjournment motion further states, "this has raised several questions and suspicions in the minds of people of Pakistan, even more so as there has been secrecy and total lack of transparency in the manner in which this contribution has been received by the government. "The question to be asked is whether this 'gift' is a bilateral loan or a grant, and, what are the terms and conditions of such a loan or a grant? Why has there been mystery and secrecy surrounding this contribution, and the refusal by the Finance Minister to initially even name the country from whom the money was being received?
"The timing of this contribution has also caused suspicions in the minds of Pakistani people. This loan or aid has come close on the heels of signing of a bilateral document between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where certain clauses on Syria have led to the belief that Pakistan has relegated its neutrality for a more partisan role in Syria, which will have serious repercussions on the national security situation in the country. Indeed the earlier defensive denial by Foreign Office and weak response by Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security has only raised more suspicions that this may be the case.
"The $1.5 billion contribution has also come after government statement that the Iran-Pakistan pipeline was off the table for the time being, which will further compromise our friendly relations with neighbours and affect our energy security. "It is indeed concerning that at a time when the Middle Eastern conflicts have intensified, and regional rivalries between Iran and Saudi Arabia are being played out in Syria, that Pakistan should be seen to be siding with one or another country. "Pakistan's involvement in Afghanistan wars' has already cost this country a very heavy price, and we can ill afford another [a similar] adventure in the Middle East. This is a serious issue where we fear that our national interest is being compromised and requires immediate discussion on the floor of the House".
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