Senate Committee on Rules of Procedures & Privileges met here to consider Privilege Motion of Senator Muhammad Idreees Khan Safi in the sitting of the Senate on 21st January, on the insulting behaviour of Political Agent, Mohmand Agency with him. The meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Senator Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi.
Committee expressed its dissatisfaction over the reply submitted by the Political Agent, Mohmand Agency and observed that the people holding such responsible posts while performing their official duties should keep in mind the honour and respect of the Parliamentarians and should give them the due respect. Mover and Senator Abbas Khan informed the Committee that they had contacted Additional Chief Secretary and even Governor, Fata for resolving this matter, but in vain.
When the mover contacted the Political Agent he became rude with him and did not pay heed to his request. The mover informed that the Political Agent, Mohmand Agency called them to Kohat to resolve the matter but when he was on his way the Political Agent informed him that due to blast in Mardan he would not be able to meet him while on his enquiry it revealed that the blast had occurred two or three days before.
The Secretary, Law and Order, Fata, said that the point raised by the Senator is valid. He said that Tehsil Safi is a conflict zone and the ensuing action against Masood Safi tribe is under the clauses of collective responsibility (21 FCR) wherein the tribes as per agreements with the Government are responsible to the state collectively for their soil and fellow tribesmen for any offence and criminal abatement, in which 74 persons have been detained including 32 persons of Habibzai Masood, the subsection of the worthy Senator which is still in progress.
This is without prejudice and perfectly according to the law of land. The Committee showed serious concern over the statement of the Secretary, Law and Order, Fata and observed that a breach of privilege of the Senator has been made and at least the responsible should have accepted his mistake.
Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) said that practically the Ministry of Safron has no control or powers to the affairs of the Fata as the same are administered by the Provincial Governor. However, he submitted his unconditional apology on behalf of the Political Agent, Mohmand Agency, which was welcomed by the Committee. While concluding the discussion the Committee directed the Secretary, Law and Order, FATA to conduct an inquiry against the Political Agent, Mohmand Agency and submit its report to the Committee.
The Committee also directed that representative of Governor and Additional Chief Secretary should be called to attend the meeting and deferred further discussion till the next meeting. The meeting was attended, among others, by Senators Abbas Khan, Dr Muhammad Ismail Buledi, Muhammad Idrees Khan Safi, Muhammad Zahid Khan and Minister for Safron besides senior officers of Fata Secretariat, and Ministry of Safron.
Comments
Comments are closed.