The NWFP assembly has been prorogued sine die on Tuesday without concluding the discussion on the development schemes identified under the Annual Development Programme (ADP).
The opposition has submitted the requisition with the speaker's chamber to convene a fresh session after the chair prorogued the assembly for an indefinite period.
The opposition was of the view that neither the government had satisfied the House on the one-sided ADP, non-execution of schemes identified under the 'Tamir Sarhad Programme', net hydel profit, provincial finance commission nor it had responded on unilateral recruitment of class-IV employees across the province.
Talking to newsmen in their chamber, the parliamentary leaders of the opposition groups complained that the speaker had bypassed their agenda and prorogued the session. It was unfair as he (speaker) didn't take them into confidence.
Opposition leader Shahzada Gistasap said the chair had rescued the government on the ECNEC issue by abruptly ending the session.
The provincial government had not sent even a single development scheme to the ECNEC this year and hence abandoned from financial assistance provided by the federal government for mega projects.
Anwar Kamal Khan of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) argued that the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal government was still ignorant about the role of the ECNEC, otherwise it would certainly fight for the monetary benefits.
He said the government had not responded to a single question raised by the opposition on the financial rights of the province.
He said they were trying to sort out the recruitment of the class-IV employees issue with the government, but the speaker had prorogued the assembly. It was a very serious matter, which dealt with the people and with the MPAs.
Education minister had recruited 86 class-IV employees in his native Swabi district without consulting the opposition MPAs from the district, he added.
Bashir Ahmad Bilour of the Awami National Party said the resolutions tabled by the opposition on the national finance commission and net hydel profit, which had strengthened the position of NWFP at the NFC forum in Islamabad.
The entire House extended its full support to Finance Minister Sirajul Haq on all these issues.
Abdul Akbar Khan of the Pakistan People Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) said the opposition had prepared a strong case which helped the government in its dealing with the federal government.
The NWFP government had failed to satisfy them on the welfare-oriented issue raised by the combined opposition in the House.
He said first of all the government had failed to respond to their questions regarding the non-execution of the ADP and TSP schemes, recruitment of Class-IV employees, agriculture income tax and a most of call attention notices.
He said the chair had shelved his important adjournment motion, seeking a debate on the rocketing of Peshawar city by terrorists.
He said that there was no option with them, except to submit a fresh requisition with the speaker's chamber.
"We have submitted a nine-point agenda along with the requisition", he added.
Mr Bakht Jahan, who was present at the opposition's chamber, refuted the claims made by the opposition leaders and said he had informed Mr Gistasap that he would prorogue the session today. It had been a very fruitful session, wherein the lawmakers discussed all the issues, Mr Bakht Jahan Khan said.
Earlier, the House had passed the NWFP (Medical Relief) Endowment Fund Bill, 2004, with seven amendments proposed by the opposition MPAs Abdul Akbar Khan (PPP) and Bashir Ahmed Bilour (ANP).
Health minister Inyatullah Khan introduced the bill on 26 March. He told the House that the government had reserved Rs 50 million for the endowment fund. The government wanted to bring structural changes into the health care system by putting maximum amount in the social sector.
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