Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the Opposition will raise the issues of devastating floods, hurling of shoe at President Asif Ali Zardari, statement of British Prime Minister against Pakistan and blockage of some private TV channels' transmissions in the forthcoming session of the National Assembly.
He expressed these views while addressing a news conference here on Monday. "The PML-N is not involved in the incident of shoe throwing at President Asif Ali Zardari, as alleged by PPP. PML-N does not believe in politics of vendetta. The statements of the ministers and media advisors of the President on the incident do not match," he said.
"I have never seen such an open criticism by foreign media of any world leader as has been done in the case of President Zardari. President and his companions are silent about foreign media but they are targeting Pakistani media with all their might," Nisar claimed.
Severely criticising the President's visit to London, he said that rulers, politicians and other segments of society should understand that media is showing them a mirror. He said that foreign media including BBC, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, Guardian, Sky News and others criticised President's visit to London because at that time his country was facing devastating floods. Even, British state officials had advised the President to go back, he said.
The opposition leader said that the PML-N strongly condemned the blockage of transmissions of some private channels and his party and other opposition parties would fully support the media and participate in the media freedom struggle. "The President is exerting pressure on the institutions and it will not go unanswered and unquestioned," he said. "The UK visit was a personal visit of President Zardari to look after his assets at public expense," he said.
The Opposition leader said that the Prime Minister telephoned PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif to delay the session of the National Assembly till August 16 due to floods. He said that there is a need to call the NA session immediately to discuss the crisis being faced by the country. "PPP-government is dealing with floods by erecting fake flood camps, which is a joke with the people in this hour of need," he said.
To a question, Nisar said that Punjab government had sought Rs 10 billion from federal government for rehabilitation of flood-hit areas, but it did not receive the amount so far. To another question about former President Pervez Musharraf, he said that if Musharraf wants to launch his political party and want to help the flood-hit people, he should come back to Pakistan and do the needful.
To a question about resolution of Punjab Assembly against media, he said that it was a big mistake and PML-N accepts it. About a three-year extension to the Chief of Army Staff, he said that it was purely administrative matter but the government did not take the opposition into confidence. We do not want to politicise this issue as the army is fighting terrorism and extremism with full might and rendered countless sacrifices. If we raise this issue, army war against terrorism will be affected, the opposition leader said. Nisar said that the government should immediately appoint Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). He said it is high time to take final decision on accountability bill.