PPP leader fears treasury members will be in same jail tomorrow if govt continues putting opposition behind bars today

National Assembly unanimously adopts resolution to form 16-member committee to resolve issues related to parliament. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq issues production orders for PTI's arrested MNAs. Kh Asif proposes revision of Charter of Democracy. Tarar says no MNA arrested from premises of parliament.

The National Assembly on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution agreeing to constitute a 16-member committee for resolving issues related to the parliament.

This committee will discuss, analyse and firm up recommendations regarding issues related to the parliament, parliamentarians’ constitution rules and procedure conduct of business in the National Assembly-2007 and the smooth function of the Parliament.

“The speaker is authorised to make changes in the composition of the committee as and when required. The committee will present its report in the House,” according to the motion, tabled by Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, calling for the constitution of a parliamentary committee comprising members of the National Assembly (MNAs) from both government and opposition benches.

The motion was passed unanimously after the rare unity between the lawmakers from opposition and government benches.

Speaker Ayaz Sadiq recalled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s premiership and lamented the denial of production orders by the then-speaker Asad Qaiser. The PTI government didn’t issue production orders for our members during its tenure, Sadiq said.

However, he maintained that “two wrongs did not make a right” and remarked: “I do not agree what is your [PTI] government’s actions. Not issuing production orders was not the right thing to do then [and] it is not the right thing to do now”. “I will do what is appropriate, what is required and what is necessary for [upholding] the parliament’s respect,” he added.

Inviting the fellow parliamentarians for the charter of parliament to jointly make the parliament functional, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stressed that without establishing the supremacy of the Constitution, no institution can function. The representatives of the House must maintain a working relationship.

“If the government’s only job is to decide, who should we put behind bars today [because] Khan did this to use and spoiled the [political] climate. If we repay in the same coin then you may be happy for one day but tomorrow you and I will be in the same jail,” the PPP chief said on the floor of the National Assembly.

The PPP chief also slammed the former ruling party’s lawmakers for not respecting the parliamentary affairs and using the same confrontational tone in the house as they used in public rallies.

“If the government is constantly engaged in firefighting, and the Opposition continues to curse, make hue and cry, and act below the belt, they cannot fulfill their duty of holding the government accountable,” he said, adding that if they claim that the government’s economic or security policies are flawed, they must also propose solutions. “Politics has become a curse, but it is the same politics that will bring employment to the youth, economic justice to the people, and govern the country,” he said adding that if the Chief Minister curses the media and opposition, and uses his own government to initiate vindictive actions against judges in the Anti-Terrorism Court, it does not address the issues of the people in the province.

He said,” If the government’s primary focus is who to jail next, it may bring momentary satisfaction, but tomorrow we will all be trapped in the same cycle.”

Bilawal recalled that during Imran Khan’s tenure as Prime Minister, the PPP did not harbour any personal grudges against him. Their only concern was protecting the Constitution and democracy, for which his family and party had sacrificed, and to solve the problems of the people.

He said that this was the reason for the signing of the Charter of Democracy between Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. He said the PPP contested elections to achieve economic justice for the people. However, it is now time to evaluate the government’s performance on key issues.

“While we have criticised the government’s economic policies, the House should commend the reduction in inflation, and now everyone must contribute their input,” Chairman PPP said.

Bilawal urged the Speaker to restore the functionality of the House, as a functional Parliament is essential for a functional country. He expressed disappointment regarding the resignation of a senior politician, particularly one who had played a significant role in the politics of Balochistan. He reminded the House that during the PDM government, he had advised against boycotting the assemblies. Now, both the Opposition and the country are suffering as a result.

Chairman Bilawal suggested the Speaker form a high-powered committee to help restore the functionality of the House. He reiterated that the responsibility of Parliament is not only to legislate but also to create conducive environment. The cycle of political rallies against one another must end, and the focus should shift toward serving the people and safeguarding their rights.

Welcoming Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s proposal, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said the government fully endorses this suggestion so that a policy can be evolved to take the country forward with collective wisdom.

Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif reacting to Bilawal’s speech

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