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| 08 April 2004 | Thursday | 17 Safar 1425 |
Opposition calls it a black day
ISLAMABAD, April 7: The combined opposition condemned the government on Wednesday for what it said bulldozing the parliamentary process to get the National Security Council (NSC) bill passed in a haste and described the episode as a black day in the country's history.
Speaking at a news conference after staging a walkout from the lower house, the opposition leaders said the NSC law would remain controversial and would have a detrimental effect on parliament and democracy.
Speaking on the occasion, PPP's Raja Pervez Ashraf alleged that the speaker had adopted a "partial attitude" right from the day the NSC bill was tabled in the National Assembly.
He alleged that PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain had uttered objectionable and unparliamentary remarks against Imran Khan in what he called a pre-planned move to spoil the atmosphere and to provoke the opposition.
Raja Pervez criticized the speaker for not giving the floor to Imran Khan for personal explanation. He said the bill was passed at a time when even journalists were not present at the press gallery.
MMA's Liaquat Baloch said the opposition tried hard to cooperate with the government and took part in the debate to point out deficiencies in the bill. However, he added, for the first time the assembly witnessed that a leader of the ruling party had himself spoiled the atmosphere.
He claimed the government had passed the bill on Wednesday because it did not have trust in its members and did not want to defer the matter even for a single day.
PTI chief Imran Khan said he had never passed any remarks against any member of the house. Mr Khan said he did not need to "lick boots of any ruler" as he was not facing any charges."Those who are facing charges under NAB need to lick the boots of military rulers," Mr Khan said.
He distributed copies of the SBP report which showed that Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain had got billions of rupees loans written off through various banks. He said the PTI had submitted all proof in this connection to the Election Commission and courts at the time of elections but no action had been taken.
PML-N leader Tehmina Daultana said after the passage of the NSC bill, the parliamentary system had disappeared from the country. She said decisions would now be taken by the "supra- cabinet" and not by the federal cabinet. The Pakistan Army had become an "armed political party", she remarked.
Memoona Hashmi said after assuming the offices of president and chief of the army staff, Gen Musharraf still wanted more powers as chairman of the NSC. Abdul Rauf Mengal accused the assembly speaker of taking dictations from army generals for running the house.
He criticized the speaker for giving the floor to Chaudhry Shujaat after Imran Khan's speech as there was no need for it. Aitzaz Ahsan said the PML-Q members had damaged the political system of the country only for the sake of their small personal interests.
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