August 22, 2007	Wednesday	Sha’aban 8, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Aug 21: The leader of opposition in the Senate on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz of trying to protect the organs trade mafia by sending to the National Assembly on the last day of its session a modified bill aimed at curbing the trade, thereby blocking the law’s enforcement for an indefinite period.

Mian Raza Rabbani said although the President

House worked as an ordinance factory, the Supreme Court’s orders about issuing an ordinance to regulate the organs trade business was not taken seriously and it was replaced by a bill which was not expected to become law any time soon.

He said people involved in the trade had in the past successfully resisted all moves to ban the business and with the introduction of the bill, instead of promulgation of an ordinance, “this mafia has once again been provided protection”.

Meanwhile, a privilege motion has also been submitted against the interior ministry for not responding to Senator Shahid Bugti’s application for removal of his name from the Exit Control List.

The lawmaker from Balochistan said he had submitted the application to the then acting chairman Senate in December 2006, requesting the interior ministry to remove his name from the ECL but so far it had not responded, thereby breaching his privileges as member of parliament.

Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, who was summoned to respond to the motion, acknowledged his ministry’s mistake and promised a disciplinary action against officials concerned.

But, Mr Bugti insisted that the motion should be referred to the house committee so that it could be sorted out on merit.

A war of words ensued between Anwar Bhinder of the treasury and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Kamil Ali Agha over the absence of minister.

Liaquat Bangulzai complained about unavailability of funds for development projects for members of parliament.

Prof Ibrahim Khan criticised the tabling of two ordinances – The Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority Ordinance 2007 and The Code of Criminal Procedure (second amendment) ordinance 2007– in the house, saying that it deprived the lawmakers of an opportunity to discuss and amend the laws.