Islamization of laws, seats for special people sought : NWFP assembly adopts resolutions
By Mohammed Riaz
PESHAWAR, Sept 9: The NWFP Assembly on Thursday adopted resolutions, demanding seats for special people in national and provincial assemblies, reduction in telephone line rent
, construction of a sanatorium in Swat and Islamization of laws as recommended by the Council of Islamic Ideology.
The session, summoned on the request of the combined opposition, was presided over by Deputy Speaker Ikramullah Shahid. The four resolutions, passed unanimously, had been tabled by Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani and Nisar Safdar of the Pakistan Muslim League and Pir Mohammad Khan and Khalid Waqar Chamkani of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal.
A number of other resolationswere also moved. Opposition leader Shahzada Mohammad Gustasap, who had sought a fresh settlement of lands in Mansehra, did not press his resolution after an explanation was offered by the revenue minister. Zar Gul Khan (PML-Q) and Dr Zakirullah Khan (MMA) withdrew their resolution after assurances were given by the ministers concerned.
Speaking on a point of order earlier, Qari Abdullah Bangash (MMA) invited the attention of the house to the 'apathy' of the government on the accidental death of six persons in Hangu. He asked the government to extend financial assistance to the bereaved families.
Law Minister Alhaj Mohammad Ayaz Khan said the government had always provided compensation to such unfortunate families and assured Qari Bangash that Hangu families would also get assistance.
Shahzadi Muniba of the People's Party Parliamentarians wanted to know whether she could spend her quota of funds on projects lying outside her district. She said she had provided some funds for a scheme outside her constituency on which she had been summoned by the court. She was of the view that the court should have nothing to do with the MPAs' funds.
The speaker said the house and courts had separate realms of affairs, but a court could seek explanation on any matter from anybody. "We should respect the court order," he said. During the question hour, the house was informed that the government was short of senior officials so it had appointed some junior or low-grade officers on higher posts.
The law minister said that the NWFP had at least 1,629 surplus employees, including 678 teachers, in Charsadda and Nowshera. Pir Mohammed Khan (MMA) contested the statement, saying those posted in tribal agencies were employees of the federal government.
Khalil Abbas of the Awami National Party said if teachers were surplus in his district (Nowshera), then why some of the schools were short of teachers. The minister refuted his claim. The law minister could not satisfy the house when Rifat Akbar Swati (PPP) asked him to identify those non-elected persons who were driving government vehicles.
