PESHAWAR, May 9: The NWFP Assembly has referred a privilege motion tabled against the district coordination officer, Haripur, to the relevant standing committee for a detailed discussion into the matter.

Speaking on the motion, Qazi Mohammad Asad Khan of the Pakistan Muslim League informed the house that the DCO, Haripur, had been indulging in politics and using delaying tactics in execution of his development schemes identified under the Tameer-i-Sarhad Programme and Khushhal Pakistan Programme.

He said political parties had a right to oppose each other’s political programme, but government employees had no right to act like the political worker of the ruling alliance.

He said: “I have made a number of attempts to contact the DCO on the telephone, but the latter never bothered to give me a call. Eventually, I asked him through a letter about the non-execution of my schemes. But, he did not reply. The DCO has not only insulted an MPA but has also hurt the privilege of this house.” He asked the chair to refer his motion to the relevant house committee for a detailed discussion on the matter.

Qazi Asad said he had got the funds approved for various development schemes, but the DCO concerned was not releasing any amount for the early execution of these schemes.

He said it was an enmity with the people of his constituency.

Anwar Kamal Khan of the PML(N), also a victim of the same modus operandi, endorsed the motion and asked the chair to refer it to the relevant committee.

He said though this exercise would not make any change but it would release some tension of the mover.

He sought an assurance whether the government would execute all the schemes by the end of May or it should inform the House that these funds would not lapse.

Minister for local government Sardar Mohammad Idrees tried to pacify the mover, but the latter refused to be deceived once again on the same issue.

Mian Nisar Gul, who was presiding over the session, referred the motion to the relevant standing committee.

The House also admitted a privilege motion by Mufti Hussain Ahmed of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal regarding encroachment of his rights by the health department in Swat.

He informed the House that his area MNA would inaugurate the installation of an ultrasound machine in the Swat hospital today, but the EDO (Health) did not invite him. He said it was tantamount to hurting his pride. He said he was an MPA from the same locality and his presence was necessary on the occasion.

Opposition leader Shahzada Gustasip said the mover had rightly pointed out being an MPA whose presence was necessary. The House admitted the motion.