The NWFP Assembly Wednesday referred two privilege motions to concerned committees tabled against the authorities of Frontier House in Islamabad and Erra (Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation Authority). The motion against Frontier House authorities was tabled by MPA Zameen Khan of ANP who complained that the officials are not co-operating with MPAs in regard with provision of accommodation to parliamentarian visiting federal capital.
Zameen Khan submitted in the house that he had made a booking at Frontier House on 17th of this month and due to delay in arrival in his flight, he reached Islamabad on 18. Zameen Khan added that when he reached Frontier House, he was not provided accommodation on the plea that he had not made booking for the date of 18th.
He alleged that the authorities at Frontier House are providing accommodation to private people on additional charges and were refusing the facilities to deserving people. The allegations of Zameen Khan were supported by a number of MPAs including Pervez Ahmad Khan of PPP, Saqib Camkani of ANP, Abdul Akbar Khan of PPP-P and Shazia Aurangzeb of PML(N) who also pressed for referring of the motion to concerned committee. Later, the chair put the motion for voting and house voiced in favour of referring the motion to the committee.
The second motion was tabled by Qalander Lodhi of PML(Q) who complained that his name was removed from a plaque erected for inauguration of a road in his constituency. Qalander Lodhi said he was working for the last several years for construction of the said road and at time of inauguration the authorities of Erra removed his name from the plaque and mentioned the name of MNA of the area to give him credit.
Lodhi said his privilege has been breached by authorities of Erra by removing his name from the inauguration plaque. He said he was also assured by NWFP Senior Minister, Bashir Ahmad Bilour at time of inauguration that his name would be inscribed on the plaque, but of no avail.
Qalander Lodhi said each parliamentarian has to face people in their respective constituencies and wanted to show their performance to the electorate. He said his efforts of several years have gone waste and therefore pressed for referring of the motion to the concerned committee.
Speaking on the occasion, NWFP Senior Minister, Bashir Bilour said he had directed DG Erra in regard with mentioning name of MPA of the respective area, but said he was unaware about reasons due to which the name was not mentioned. He supported referring of the motion to concerned committee to inquire reasons due to which MPA Qalander Lodhi name was deleted from the inauguration plaque.
Meanwhile, another privilege motion against NWFP Minister for Primary Education, Sardar Hussain Babak was withdrawn on assurance of Provincial Minister for Information, Mian Iftikhar Hussain Shah.
The motion was moved by MPA Haji Zahir Shah of PML(Q) who alleged that Provincial Minister has misused his authority and cancelled appointment of three persons in class four. The mover of the motion said that all appointments in class four are being made by Provincial Minister without talking concerned MPA into confidence.
Responding to the motion, Provincial Minister for Primary Education said he has cancelled those appointments which have been made by EDOs illegally. He said present government has adopted the policy of appointment on merit. Babak added that he would not allow appointment of all those persons recommendation by MPAs. He said only those applicants would be appointed who fulfil merit and are qualified for the post.
Haji Zahir Shah pressed for referring of his motion against the Education Minsiter. However, Provincial Minister for Information assured the mover for mediation between him and concerned Minister after which the motion was withdrawn.