LAHORE, Sept 7: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi came to the Punjab Assembly after a long time on Tuesday. But he had a number of good news for the people belonging to various walks of life. Those belonging to southern Punjab should be specially grateful to him because of the steps he is taking for their welfare.

Students, doctors, farmers and even the opposition legislators would certainly be very happy on Pervaiz's announcements. But the credit also goes to opposition MPs who broached the subjects on which the chief minister explained what he planned to do for the uplift of the backward areas, enable the students of southern Punjab to get medical education in important colleges in five districts to be specified subsequently.

Hundreds of thousands of people living in five-marla houses will be benefited by his announcement to exempt them from property tax, no matter which category they belong to. This particular issue was raised by PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah Khan, who would have submitted a private bill on the subject if the chief minister had not made the announcement on Tuesday.

The chief minister had also something to offer to opposition MPs - development schemes for their constituencies - though not to their entire satisfaction. In a political culture where opponents are regarded as "untouchables", the chief minister's gesture should be welcomed. Something is better than nothing, as they say.

The opposition had complained on Monday that the chief minister had no time for the house - not even to answer questions about the matters directly linked to him. The point was raised when a call attention notice was moved to know the latest position on the investigation into the murder of Pir Binyamin.

Though the law minister argued that the presence of the chief minister was not necessary after he had delegated his authority to him to answer the notice, opposition was not satisfied.

It was probably for this reason that the chief minister made an unplanned visit to the house on Tuesday. No lively discussion was going on, and most of the legislators were present in the house - only to be seen. They were either indifferent to the proceedings or were engaged in mutual conversations.

Environment Minister Makhdoom Ashfaq Ahmad was distributing some eatable to his colleagues, health minister one of them. Law Minister Raja Basharat and opposition's Rana Sanaullah and Ehsanullah Waqas were discussing whether or not Nazims of the local government system could join political parties.

Suddenly, the members rose on their seats and started thumping the desks. It was a welcome to the chief minister. Legislators' drooping heads straightened up and those in the lobbies rushed to the house.

Shortly after his arrival, the chief minister explained what he was doing for the province. Opposition legislators were happy that Mr Pervaiz assured them that development schemes worth Rs5 million would be launched in every constituency.

Legislators not belonging to the treasury would be allowed to identify schemes for their respective constituencies which would be scrutinized for their feasibility by district committees.

PPP's Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan proposed that opposition legislators should be allowed to propose alternative scheme in case any of them was not approved. The chief minister kept silent, while the law minister said it should not be taken as a matter of privilege.

An opposition MP raised a question about the development schemes for the women elected on reserved seats. "Since they don't have constituencies, they won't get funds," he argued.

There was no response from the treasury. In the cafeteria, President Musharraf's reported claim that 96 per cent of the people want him to stay in uniform, was the major subject of discussion.

Everyone was giving his/ her views - some supporting it and others challenging the tall claim. "What the president has said means that four per cent people are still against him," said one opposition MP.

"No, you are distorting facts. The remaining four per cent are those who had voted for Gen Musharraf at the time of his referendum," said his colleague, gulping a second cup of tea. "Thus, the entire nation wants to see the general in his twin caps," explained the third man on the table. "Long live General Musharraf," they said, and rushed to the house.