Chattha wants NA session to continue

Published August 25, 2003

LAHORE, Aug 24: PML-C president Hamid Nasir Chattha says the ruling party should continue its talks with the opposition without suspending parliamentary proceedings.

Talking to reporters on Sunday, Chattha said the government with some 192 MNAs on its side was in a position to transact legislative business without any difficulty. He said except for a constitutional amendment, the ruling party could make any law on account of its parliamentary strength.

Chattha is a member of the National Assembly and his party is a coalition partner with the PML-Q.

He said he had urged the prime minister that the assembly should perform its duties irrespective of opposition’s attitude.

He said every week the government should bring some bill to the house and get it passed to let the opposition know that the ruling coalition was in a position to transact legislative business.

As for the disruption caused by opposition lawmakers in successive sessions, Chattha said it should be completely ignored. He said opposition had a right to protest and should be allowed to do so. But at the same time, he said, the ruling coalition should go ahead according to its agenda. The treasury members should use headphones and conduct the business according to the order of the day.

He believed that after some time, the opposition would get exhausted and become ineffective, clearing way for normal working conditions in parliament.

Chattha dismissed reports that there were differences between the prime minister and the president or that the government was facing any threat.

There was just no question of differences between the two and they had excellent relations, he claimed. He said the government and the MMA should show flexibility to resolve the LFO controversy. However, he would not say which side should be flexible on what issue. Replying to a question, Chattha said it would not be possible for opposition parties to bring people to the streets.