October 26, 2005	Wednesday	Ramzan 21, 1426

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: Treasury and opposition members in the National Assembly on Tuesday joined hands to criticize policies and “behaviour” of Federal Minister for Information Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and asked the speaker to take notice of his conduct.

Speaking on a point of order, chairperson of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting Rehana Aleem Mashhadi said that the information minister had “misbehaved” with her and other members during a meeting of the committee held on Monday.

Ms Mashhadi said that the minister was annoyed when committee members started praising the role of private TV channels coverage of the earthquake disaster. She said that there was no need for the minister to react in this manner as none of the members criticized Pakistan Television. She said the PTV even did not telecast the news of the committee’s meeting. “I will see him when he will not be a minister,” she said in anger.

People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPP) MNA Nayyar Bokhari said that the incident was very serious and the speaker should take notice of it. “The minister’s behaviour amounts to contempt of the whole parliament,” he said.

Khurshid Afgan of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League said that the information minister was using the official media for his personal gains. She said the minister seemed to be more interested in his personal projection.

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