24 September 2004	Friday	08 Shaban 1425

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ISLAMABAD Sept 23: Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afgan Niazi was put in an awkward position in Senate by his colleagues on the treasury benches on Thursday , forcing him to withdraw a letter written to them and to apologise for what they termed the uncalled for reprimand.

The house also unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the constitution of a joint parliamentary committee comprising parliamentary leaders of all parties from lower and upper houses to examine issues, including that of Balochistan, to recommend solutions and submit a report within 90 days.

The minister was criticized for writing a letter addressed to every treasury senator reprimanding him for causing a break up of quorum in the upper house. The minister, who initially insisted that he had done nothing wrong, was, however, forced not only to withdraw the letter but also to tender apology for his allegation about the quorum problem.

A noisy debate ensued when Dr Sher Afgan tried to defend himself and said that he had written the letter after being instructed by the prime minister, who, said, was leader of both the lower and upper houses of parliament.

Interestingly, the opposition parties refrained from taking advantage of the feud among treasury members. The acting chairman reprimanded the minister, saying: "Mr Minister, your attitude is neither acceptable to me nor the members of this house". He said, "I do not agree with the notion that the leader of the house (the prime minister) would have instructed you to write such a humiliating letter to senators".

Dr Sher Afgan interrupted the chair and tried to explain his position by referring to Article 91(4) of the Constitution, according to which collective responsibility of governance fell on cabinet members.

After a considerable rumpus, Dr Sher Afgan once again tried to explain his position but treasury members demanded in unison "an unqualified apology" from him. The minister then rose from his seat and said: "If they have taken it personally, I am sorry and I wholeheartedly apologise."

In the end, some members highlighted some burning questions through points of order before the house was adjourned till 10am on Friday. Later, Wasim Sajjad read out a resolution which he had earlier amply discussed and circulated among the opposition parliamentary leaders which recommended early constitution of a special parliamentary committee on Balochistan which was promised by the outgoing prime minister on Aug 24 last.

A number of senators, including Prof Ghafoor Ahmed, Prof Khurshid Ahmed, Dr Abdullah Riaz and Hidayatullah, complained about the delay in the debate on their motions and call-attention notices.

Dr Ismail Buledi accused PIA of indecision on starting flights between Turbat and Dubai to cater to the needs of migrant workers from Balochistan. Liaqat Bangulzai called for regularising 511 daily wage employees of PTCL from Balochistan.

Through a point of order, Aslam Buledi called for making urgent arrangements for providing drinking water in Gwadar district. Dr Akbar Khwaja urged the government to explain the recruitment of 595 people in the Capital Development Authority during the past 18 months.

Abbas Kumail invited the attention of the government towards the recurrence of target killings in Quetta and rejected a report prepared on previous sectarian killings in Balochistan.

Dr Saed asked why Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz was not representing the country at the UN General Assembly, adding that all other countries were represented by their elected representatives.