Lawmakers on Wednesday expressed apprehensions that President Asif Ali Zardari might influence the upcoming general elections in Sindh to get desired results.
MNA Zafar Ali Shah, an old guard of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) who has recently joined Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), on a point of order in the National Assembly alleged that Asif Ali Zardari would utilize all available options to influence the forthcoming general elections in Sindh so under him holding of free and fair elections in the province was next to impossible. Former federal Minister for Privatisation, Ghous Buksh Meher, who has recently left PML-Q to join PML-Functional, seconded Zafar Ali Shah's apprehensions, saying that free and fair elections could not be held in Sindh due to the influence of Asif Ali Zardari.
Rejecting the notion, Shazia Marri of PPP said that PPP enjoyed full public support in Sindh and people would again repose their confidence in the party in coming elections. While speaking on a point of order, Zahid Hamid of PML-N categorically rejected the impression that PML-N is creating hurdles to slow down scrutiny of lawmakers' educational degrees by the ECP. He said that Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, had criticised the language of ECP's letter, however impression had been created by a section of media that PML-N is creating hindrance in the scrutiny of lawmakers' educational credentials.
Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza said that as the Assembly was going to be dissolved next month, the last three to four sessions should be started with National Anthem. Khawaja Saad Rafiq of PML-N while praising the proposal of the speaker, said there had been differences between the government and the opposition, but they should take along pleasant memories.
He said the house had splendid achievements in legislation and dispensing other business during its five-year term. An MQM lawmaker drew the attention of the august house towards the pending medical dues of late PPP lawmaker Fauzia Wahab with AGPR, urging that the due should be paid to her family without any delay.
Chief Whip of PPP, Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, informed the House that he had already talked to Auditor General and the matter would be resolved on his return from abroad. The Speaker also endorsed the demand of the members that Interior Minister Rehman Malik should remain present in the House. "Foreign visits can undertake on another time. The Minister should be present when the House is in session," she opined. Earlier, Minister in-charge of Cabinet Secretariat laid annual report of the National Economic Council for the finical year 2011-2012 in the lower House.
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