The combined opposition in National Assembly on Tuesday boycotted proceedings in protest against the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet decision of imposing taxes on more than 285 items without the approval of Parliament. Led by leader of the opposition Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah, the lawmakers belonging to Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) left the House in protest.
The National Assembly left 61% of the agenda items unaddressed as the sitting was adjourned due to a lack of quorum amid a boycott against an increase in GST on petroleum products and other commodities. Speaking on the floor of the House, Shah strongly criticised the government move, saying that it has restored to anti-people decisions by imposing new taxes every month to meet revenue targets. He said the PML-N government has converted the parliament into a 'debating club'. He called upon the government to immediately withdraw the decision, adding that if the government wants to present 'mini-budgets', then it should seek to amend the Constitution.
He alleged that the Parliament is being made redundant, adding that the government is supposed to work towards enhancing the prestige of the Parliament but such decisions are giving a bad name to democracy. The opposition leader also alleged that the government is leading the country towards slavery of international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
About the future strategy of the combined opposition, he said the lawmakers belonging to opposition parties will hold protest on a daily basis to press the government to take back its decision. MQM parliamentary leader Abdul Rashid Godil backed the opposition leader's stance and also criticised increase in GST on petroleum products, adding the government should adopt people-friendly policies.
He alleged the government is protecting the interests of industrialists and feudal lords. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab took the floor and urged the lawmakers who had left the house in protest, to work for the development of the country. The Minister further said that the Prime Minister is taking the political leadership into confidence on all the important decisions.
He said Pak-China economic corridor will generate enormous employment opportunities and Pakistan will get revenue in billions of rupees once the Gwadar Port starts functioning. Responding to a call attention notice, Shaikh Aftab said the government is taking steps to improve the services of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), adding that the management has been directed to turn it into a profitable entity. He also assured the House that no one in PIA has tendered resignation due to non-payment of salaries, and steps are being taken to make timely payments to employees. The call attention notice was moved by Naeema Kishwer Khan and others.
Meanwhile, four private members bills were introduced in the House, which included The Pakistan Private Courier Services Regulatory Authority Bill, 2015, The Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2015, The Compulsory Education of Arabic Bill, 2015 and The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2015. The bills were moved by Belum Hasnain, Sahibzada Tariquallah, Naeema Kishwer Khan and Maulana Amir Zaman; these were referred to the concerned standing committees of the National Assembly. The House also rejected The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2014 moved by JUI-F Maulana Amir Zaman. It prompted the JUI-F, a coalition partner of the government, to stage a walkout against an "indifferent attitude" of the government. When the bill was put to a voting in the House, only eight members supported it, which was consequently rejected due to a lack of the required number for its passage. Earlier, the JUI-F members were pressing the chair to take up the bill without knowing that it would require the support of 228 members, a two-thirds majority, to pass the bill, as the house was already in disarray; and it was consequently adjourned after treasury member Bilal Virk pointed out the lack of quorum.
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