Proposed bill on Panama Leaks: lack of quorum thwarts government move

The Opposition on Thursday strongly opposed the proposed bill on Panama Leaks issue tabled by the government in the National Assembly and staged a walkout in protest, besides announcing the boycott of National Assembly proceedings. The ruling PML-N enjoys majority in the Lower House of the Parliament with 189 members, but it could not pass the 'Pakistan Commissions of Inquiry Bill, 2016' due to a lack of quorum.
The government required a simple majority (125 members) to pass the bill but it could not do so due to the absence of most of its members from the House. Though the government on Wednesday last increased salaries of the parliamentarians manifolds; it was observed that MPs lack interest in legislation and avoid participation in the proceedings of the House.
Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi had to abruptly adjourn the House to save the government from embarrassment when Shazia Marri of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) tried to point out quorum; soon after, the Opposition announced a walkout and boycott of the proceedings of the House.
When Law Minister Zahid Hamid tabled the bill in the House for its passage, PPP leader Syed Naveed Qamar opposed it and said, "It is ridiculous. The apex court has already initiated an inquiry into the Panama Leaks issue and why the government is committing such stupidity. The government will create difficulties for itself by such actions."
Qamar said the PPP has already introduced a bill of joint opposition on the same issue in the Parliament and the government should accept it. The government should support the bill and move it forward.
Opposing the bill, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) MNA Sahibzada Tariqullah was of the view that the government should develop a consensus before passing the bill. "This bill is only being placed in the House due to the issue of the Panama Leaks. We oppose it as the government has not taken JI into confidence before placing the bill in the House." "We should have an independent and powerful commission to investigate issues like corruption, but this bill is only being presented over the Panama issue," the JI leader remarked.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MNA SA Iqbal Qadri said the House does not enjoy authority to pass this bill under Article-142 of the Constitution. "There is a need for legislation to curb corruption in the country but this bill is not in accordance with the Constitution. We oppose it," he added.
Opposition Leader in National Assembly, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah endorsed the views of SA Iqbal Qadri and said, "We are going to stage a walkout. We boycott the proceedings of the House." Afterwards, the joint opposition staged a walkout from the House.