In view of the pressure from opposition and the ruling coalition, the government is considering to withdraw the word 'parliamentarians' from the circular that bars them from interaction with the Indian High Commission.
The issue raised by Raja Pervaiz Ashraf of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians generated about half an hour debate in the National Assembly on Friday. The speaker reserved his ruling but the Opposition insisted it should be either referred to the House Standing Committee on Privileges or withdrawn.
Opposition sources told Business Recorder that they would continue raising the issue until the circular under the Rule-56 (1) was withdrawn or the word 'parliamentarians' removed.
Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) had filed a privilege motion, challenging the legality of the circular that asked the government functionaries and members of the Parliament not to interact with the Indian Embassy without prior permission of the government.
The National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain supported the Opposition's contention that under the Rules of Business, elected representatives could not be given such instructions. The Cabinet Division had issued the circular. Talking to Business Recorder, Muttahida Qaumi Movement MNA Kanwar Khalid Younis said he was astonished to receive a copy of the circular adding it should be withdrawn. The ruling Pakistan Muslim League MNA MP Bhandara had also raised objections on the circular.
"We are not the government functionaries or servants who follow such instructions. We know what to do and what not," he maintained. ARD Parliamentary Secretary Izhar Amrohvi said they had nothing to do with the directive.