MUZAFFARABAD: The opposition lawmakers on Tuesday locked the entrance to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly in protest against “non-fulfillment of the commitments” made to them by the government from time to time.

As the angry lawmakers from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Muslim Conference (MC) bolted the door, at least three female ruling People’s Party (PPAJK) lawmakers were said to be already sitting inside to attend the session called by the government to do some urgent legislation.

The trio was allowed to come out after an hour or so, following which the door was relocked by the opposition members who remained seated in front of it to prevent any attempt by treasury to hold the session.

Cabinet members, particularly minister for school education Mian Abdul Waheed and minister for college education Matloob Inqilabi, tried in vain to convince the opposition to end its “undemocratic protest” and let the session start.

Talking to reporters on the occasion, PML-N MLA Dr Najeeb Naqi castigated the government for “backing out of its commitments” to the opposition.

“We helped them (government) unanimously pass the budget. But whatever commitments they made to us at that time have not been fulfilled,” he said.

Referring to the two pieces of law on Tuesday’s agenda, Mr Naqi alleged that the government wanted to bulldoze legislation with some “ulterior motives,” which was why it had “hastily summoned the session.” 

However, rejecting his assertions minister Waheed said the government had committed 10-km-long roads for each constituency and the same were also included in the annual development programme. However, he added, these schemes had to be abandoned due to the objections raised by the representatives of the federal government.

“They (PML-N) have their party’s government in the Centre. We hope they will help us obtain funds for all those projects we have pledged to undertake in the AJK in the current year,” he said.  

Regarding the allegations about legislation, the minister pointed out that the term of both ordinances on the agenda was going to expire after 72 hours and since the AJK Supreme Court had categorically ruled against re-promulgation of ordinances, the government was bound to get them enacted from the assembly.

Dr Naqi and Sardar Mir Akbar Khan of MC later represented the opposition in talks with a ministerial team, comprising Mr Waheed and Mr Inqilabi.

It was at about 2 pm that both sides reached an “agreement” which paved the way for commencement of the session at 3:30 pm, with deputy speaker Shaheen Kousar Dar in the chair.

Published in Dawn March 25th , 2015

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