ISLAMABAD, Nov 13: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Durrani has criticised the Hasba bill adopted by the NWFP assembly on Monday and said the federal government will look into its legal aspects.

Speaking at a news conference at the Parliament House cafeteria, the minister alleged that the bill aimed to provide benefits to workers of the alliance before the general elections by spending Rs8 billion on the structure needed to enforce it.

About the abrupt adjournment of the National Assembly session by the speaker on Monday, he said the government wanted to accommodate the viewpoint of the opposition, but their legislators started shouting and created scenes unbecoming of a parliament.

He invited the opposition for an exchange of views on all issues and for working out a joint stance against terrorism. He said the government was determined to curb terrorism and would take necessary steps to achieve the objective.

About the Dargai incident, Mr Durrani said local people were cooperating with investigators. He said the culprits would soon be arrested.

He said the Protection of Women’s Rights bill to be tabled in the current session of the National Assembly would be the same as approved by the house select committee, adding that it would be up to parliament to pass the bill as it was or with some amendments.

Answering a question, Mr Durrani said the president was ready to address a joint session of parliament if it was guaranteed that no “un-parliamentary practice” would be adopted during his speech.