May 25, 2007	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 08, 1428

QUETTA, May 24: Balochistan Revenue Minister Mir Asim Kurd claimed on Thursday that the resolution against Sonmiani port, passed earlier in the day by the provincial assembly, was not adopted properly as the house lacked quorum.

Speaking at a press conference, he said that only 16 members were present in the house when the speaker asked for voting on the resolution. The 65-member house needed 17 MPAs for the quorum.

He said that 16 members, including himself, were present in the house during voting and after his departure 15 members remained in the house.

They included nine members from the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, three from the National

Party, two from the Pakhtun-

khwa Milli Awami Party and Deputy Speaker Aslam Bhootani.

He said that he had pointed out the lack of quorum in the assembly session, adding that the count of 18 members instead of 16 in the assembly was not correct.

“Despite pointing out the lack of quorum in the house, the resolution was put for voting and passed,” Mr Kurd remarked.

The minister said that India had 19 ports while Pakistan also needed more ports to fulfil its future requirements.

“If we feel the need for them, then ports would also constructed at Pasni, Jewani and other coastal areas,” he said.