PML-N disrupts parliament’s session

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmakers intensified their protest against Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani in both the National Assembly and Senate, keeping with their promise to not rest till the exit of the premier.

The PML-N Senators walked out of the Upper House, threatening to continue the protest till the prime minister’s resignation, while the party’s MNAs demonstrated massive protest in the Lower House. However, the Prime Minister was not present in either house of parliament.

Raja Zafarul Haq, the PML-N leader announced the boycott when Senate Chairman Nayyar Husain Bukhari wanted to start question-hour session.

In his view, the senate session was unconstitutional because after the Supreme Court’s verdict against Gilani, he was no more the prime minister and hence the PML-N does not accept his cabinet.

He observed, “According to the law and constitution, after being convicted, Yousaf Raza Gilani is no longer the prime minister of Pakistan, so until his cabinet is functional, we will not come to parliament”.

The PML-N Senator further said that despite the joint resolution passed in the parliament on national security and future rules of engagement with the United States (US), the unmanned American planes have not been stopped in the country.

However, Raja Zafar did not allow his colleagues to chant slogans against the prime minister on the floor of the house.

Apart from the noises, protest and demonstrations, there were other issues discussed in both houses of parliament.

Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh laid out the State Bank of Pakistan’s second quarterly report for the year 2011-12 on the state of Pakistan’s economy before the Senate. A motion was also moved by Law Minister Farooq H Naek.

The Senate also unanimously passed a resolution strongly condemning the desecration of the Holy Quran by a US Pastor Terry Jones. The resolution was moved by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Farhatullah Babar, urging the UN secretary-general to play his role for promotion of cultural and religious harmony.

In the meantime, PPP lawmaker Raza Rabbani asked the government nationalize KESC, terming the reported idea of privatizing Pakistan Railways as unfortunate.

The order of the day had 54 items in the National Assembly including several private member bills, call-to-attention notices, motions, resolutions, presentation of standing committee reports and discussion on several issues of public importance.

However, the deputy speaker dropped over a dozen items from the agenda which were to be moved by the members of opposition.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on May 3 2012. Filed under Latest News, Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.