Parliamentary Affairs Minister Raza Hayat Hirraj on Monday defended the proposed National Security Council, saying it would consolidate parliamentary system, eliminating possibility of military intervention.
During the first reading of the NSC bill in the National Assembly, he maintained the body would be a mere consultative forum with more representations from the civilian set-up.
It was the first day after conclusion of the marathon debate on the presidential address to the Parliament. Therefore, the session started 50 minutes late with the treasury and opposition busy in devising strategy in the Speaker's chamber.
Both sides during the debate reached an understanding that the quorum problem would not be pointed out.
However, taking part in the proceedings, Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal out rightly rejected the proposed council, saying it would encourage dictatorial rules.
Hirraj asserted that the establishment of the council was vital to curb chances of military interventions and let the democratic system move forward. The minister brushed aside the impression created by the opposition that it would pave way for a military rule, undermining the federal parliamentary form of government.
"Prime minister, chief ministers, Senate chairman, Speaker and the leader of the opposition will be its members while if need arises, it can be expanded," the minister said.
MMA MNA Liaquat Baloch contended that through the council, the military wanted to fulfil its dream of grabbing power once and for all. "There is no room for NSC or martial law in the Constitution," he asserted.
He made it clear that MMA would not support the bill in any case, as the bill was against the federal parliamentary form of government, paving way for the military's role in democratic matters.
Liaquat Baloch alleged that instead of going to courts, the rulers had introduced this idea to carve out space for their rule under the garb of a consultative forum.
The men in uniform although having five- percent representation would dominate the civilian representation in the council and hence the military would have the final say on all matters, he said.
After the Dhaka fall, Baloch recalled, the Senate was introduced to allay concerns of the federating units by giving them equal representation in the constitutional body.
"The Prime Minister and ministers are answerable to the cabinet. Therefore, there is no need whatsoever for such supra constitutional body," he observed.
The council, he said, would consolidate dictatorship, giving powers to the military on matters pertaining to the masses.
"The assembly, which came into being after the party-less elections during late Zia's era, had rejected his bid to introduce an NSC-like body.
How can this august forum allow it in the party elections," Liaquat noted.
After his speech, a call attention notice regarding sale of Triple Super Phosphate Fertiliser by Fertiliser Imports Department to Jaffer Brothers was brought in. The House was later adjourned to meet again on Tuesday at 10:00 am.