Parliamentary leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Q in National Assembly, Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat on Wednesday suggested the opposition parties to stage a protest and sit-in outside US Embassy in favour of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.
Taking part in the debate on the law and order issue, Faisal equally criticised Pakistan Muslim League-N and ruling PPP for only targeting Musharraf era policies, accusing them of failing to bring any effective policy change despite lapse of two years.
In his much lengthy speech on the floor of the House, Faisal stated that PML-N should play its due role as a major opposition party to press the government for not delivering to the masses. Extending his party's full support, he asked opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to lead a rally and sit-in in front of US Embassy against the illegal detention of a Pakistani citizen Dr Aafia Siddiqui in US.
Faisal also lambasted PPP government for what he said failure to control terrorism as well as depriving the masses from the basic rights. He claimed that except him no one from opposition or the treasury side dare take up the issue of Aafia Siddiqui and drone attacks with Secretary of States Hillary Clinton at the meeting with parliamentarians during her visit to Pakistan.
He pointed out that PPP and PML-N do not waste even a single opportunity for criticising on General Musharraf and his supporters but surprising thing was what he said there is no change in the policy of General Musharraf despite the mandate given by people to these parties in 2008 elections.
He urged mainstream political parties not to play politics for the sake of politics rather concentrate towards resolving the problems confronted by masses. "What relief you have given to people and what kind of changes you have brought in the policy of previous government in best national interest if there was any wrong with the Musharraf's policies," he questioned.
The PML-Q leader flayed the government for not implementing the recommendations of the resolution passed by the joint session of the Parliament. He also asked the PPP and PML-N to implement Charter of Democracy (CoD) and his party would support them.
Faisal also targeted Chief Minister Punjab and his Law Minister for bowing down before Taliban by seeking Punjab-specific mercy from them and supporting the banned religious outfits. The newly appointed Advisor to Prime Minister Nawab Ghazanfar Gul defended the PPP government and its policy, reminding the PML-Q leader of this support to the dictator by betraying with a political party in 2002.
Responding to a calling attention notice, State Minister for Revenue and Finance Hina Rabbani Khar admitted that customs officials at Quetta Airport cleared containers of cell phones without charging duty/custom. She added that inquiry has already been ordered into it and FIRs have been lodged against officials of as many as 14 companies while four officials have already been suspended who facilitated in the illegal act.