22 July 2004	Thursday	04 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

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ISLAMABAD, July 21: The Senate on Wednesday passed the Political Parties Order (Amendment) Bill that allows the holders of public office to keep the party office as well. A protesting opposition was out of the house when the upper house approved the bill.

The bill that has already been passed by the National Assembly, will become law after a formal assent by the president. After completion of the first reading of the bill and the winding-up speech by the Leader of the House, Wasim Sajjad, Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Raza Rabbani said the opposition believed that the PPO was being amended to rig the August 18 by-elections.

"We will not become a part of it and we will walk out from the house in protest," declared Mr Rabbani as he led the combined opposition walkout. Deputy Chairman Khalilur Rahman put the bill before the house for a voice vote after the second and third reading. It was passed within minutes.

Responding to speeches by the opposition members, Mr Sajjad rejected the allegation that the amendment was aimed at influencing the election campaign of Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz.

Even under existing laws, he pointed out, there was no restriction on the prime minister or a chief minister to take part in the election campaign. "This is a good bill and it will strengthen political forces in the country.

Therefore, it should be passed," he said. Earlier, opposition members said the ruling party had brought the amendment only to 'facilitate' a few individuals. Awami National Party leader Asfandyar Wali said the PPO was being amended in a 'military way'.

Sanaullah Baloch of the Balochistan National Party said the bill was a step towards making the president head of a political party. He feared the prime minister and the chief ministers would now use the public money for party purposes.

Prof Ibrahim of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal said that opposition parties should have been taken into confidence before the bill was introduced. Criticizing the amendment, PPP's Farhatullah Babar said when it suited Gen Musharraf he had declared that he would not become president and would continue as the chief executive in national interest.

Later, Gen Musharraf "booted out an elected president from the presidency". At that time, Mr Babar said, the personal interest was described as public interest.

Raza Mohammad Raza of the Pukhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party termed the bill anti-people and anti-state. "The country has been made the worst model of dictatorship. Parliament is there but generals are ruling the country," he said.

Jamhoori Watan Party Senator Amanullah Kanrani said the bill was a confession by the government that Gen Musharraf had issued several 'wrong' orders. He asked the ruling party to present all the laws framed by a 'dictator' since Oct 12, 1999 before parliament for rectification.