ISLAMABAD, June 19: The presiding officer of the Senate has referred to the privileges committee a motion by the MMA alleging the president, the Senate, National Assembly and the ministry of parliamentary affairs had violated a constitutional provision relating to two money bills.

Presiding Officer and former law minister Khalid Ranjha took the step despite opposition by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afgan and technical objections by Leader of the House Waseem Sajjad.

Moving the privilege motion in a session last week, Senator Prof Khurshid Ahmed said that under Article 73 of the 1973 Constitution, money bills had to be transmitted to the Senate for its comments and recommendations.

He said two money bills, including the “Benevolent Fund and Group Insurance Bill 2004” and “Members of Parliament Salaries and Allowances Bill 2005”, had been assented by the president without the consideration of the Senate, its recommendations and without the consideration of the National Assembly, which was waiting for the Senate proposals.

“This involves failure on the part of the Senate, the National Assembly, the ministry of parliamentary affairs and the president to fulfil the requirements of the constitution,” said Senator Khurshid.