Amendments in rules: Senate makes it mandatory for Prime Minister to ensure his presence

Perturbed over protracted absence of prime minister, a formidable opposition in Senate on Monday forced adoption of amendments in the rules, making it binding on the premier to ensure his presence in the house once a week. The amendments in Senate rules came after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did not bother to pay even a single visit to the Senate since coming into power after May 2013 general elections despite repeated protests from opposition MPs.
Colonel Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi (Retd) of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) presented certain amendments in the house, which were backed by the opposition as well as some government allies. The house amended rule 61 (2A), under which the prime minister has to attend the Senate at least once a week in 'prime minister's zero hour'. The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) opposed the amendment tooth and nail but it was left with no option but to remain quiet after some JUI-F, Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party - allied political parties - voted in favour of the amendments through direct voting.
Though, the PML-N senators along with leader of the house in Senate Raja Zafarul Haq termed the passage of amendments 'a wrong way of making amendments in the rules and procedures', the opposition stole the show putting a seal on the proverb - majority is authority. When Senator Mashhadi wanted to present the motion earlier before its turn, deputy chairman Senate Sabir Baloch asked him to present it on his turn. When the chair stopped him, the MQM members walked out of the house, accusing the chair of siding with the government.
"The prime minister is shy. The ministers are shy [and] undue favour is being given to the government by delaying the amendments without any reason," Senator Mashhadi, a retired army colonel, stoked opposition's emotions. But the environment was perfect to woo the prime minister that Chaudhry Jafer Iqbal of PML-N did not miss the opportunity. He took the plea that the premier is confronted with several challenges that make it difficult for him to turn up to the house.
Perhaps Iqbal had no idea that PPP stalwart Raza Rabbani is very much present in the house. Rabbani jumped like a tiger and strongly reacted to the sugar-coated justification given by PML-N senator, terming his statement an act tantamount to undermining the parliament.
"The parliament is sovereign to all the institutions and it is the only place to solve the problems the country faces; the plea taken by the senator [Iqbal] means the premier gives no importance to Senate," he said before he walked out along with other like-minded opposition senators.
Later, the opposing returned to the house and the amendments were presented by Senator Mashhadi, who said the prime minister should attend the Senate proceedings at least once a week when the upper house is in session. He also said that Senate should amend the rules of procedure and conduct of business in this regard. Leader of the House Raja Zafarul Haq was of the view that it is totally a new thing, requesting the chair to either form a special committee to look into it or give some time to consult all parties on the issue. But Mashhadi insisted, forcing the chair to ask Senators for a vote on amendments. Except PML-N senators all other supported the motion and the amendments were passed amid thumping of desks by majority senators.
NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY Chairman Senate Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari warned the government to present the national security policy bill in Senate today (Tuesday) otherwise he will be left with no option but to refer the matter to the concerned standing committee. He said it was difficult to understand that the government succeeded in passing the bill in National Assembly, but had not brought it before Senate despite assurances from leader of the house Raja Zafar-ul-Haq.
Speaking on a point of order, Raza Rabbani said the government is not presenting the National Security Policy bill in Senate, which would compel the opposition to bring a privilege motion against interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. The Senate also passed another resolution presented by Afrasiab Khattak and Farhatullah Babar.
ANP Senator Afrasiab Khattak said the government should prepare a plan to cleanse Fata of militants, provide compensation to the victims of militancy, relief and rehabilitation of IDPs and a massive programme for the socio-economic uplift of the people. "Do you believe that the people of Fata have any right or future due to ongoing militancy in the area?" he questioned.
Minister for State and Frontier Regions, Abdul Qadir Baloch said the government is trying to bring peace through a dialogue with militants. He further said that if the process failed, the government will take serious action against terrorists. He said the PML-N government believes that it will succeed in bringing peace through dialogue while it will not drag the issue till 2018 for the next government. The minister also announced that his ministry is preparing a 'Mini Marshall Plan' for Fata which will be implemented after the restoration of peace. The PML-Q Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed also introduced a bill for the establishment of 'the National Cyber Security Council Bill, 2014' in the Senate. The bill has sought establishment of a 'National Cyber Security Council.'