In a parliament reeling from the ongoing protest by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) legislators, the introduction and the subsequent passage of two government-sponsored resolutions on Thursday seems to be an attempt to discourage the protesters and to infuse confidence into the treasury members. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-led both houses of parliament passed the resolutions for the creation of South Punjab province, and to repose confidence in the prime minister, who is under pressure to resign after his conviction by the Supreme Court for flouting court orders. Since the start of the protest a couple of days ago, the treasury members have been facing a siege-like situation in parliament. In the National Assembly, both the resolutions were tabled by Law Minister Farooq Naek, and were adopted by the House amidst rumpus, while a resolution moved in the Senate by Senator Jehangir Badar in support of Prime Minister Gilani was approved amidst a boycott by the PML-N members.
“This House reposes complete confidence in Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, as the constitutionally and democratically elected prime minister, and unanimously elected chief executive of the country. This House also wishes to reaffirm its belief in the constitutional procedure for the disqualification of a prime minister from holding the office, and that any other procedure adopted will be considered as unconstitutional,” said the resolution in the NA. The other resolution read: “This House calls upon the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab to present a Bill in the Punjab Assembly to amend the constitution in accordance with Article 239 (4) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, for passage which would have the effect of altering the limits of province of the Punjab, thereby creating the province of Janoobi (South) Punjab.”
Before the start of the session, hectic negotiations amongst the legislators were witnessed. The sitting started two hours and 25 minutes behind its scheduled time.
PML-N resolution: After the PPP and its coalition partners passed a resolution in the Lower House of the parliament for the creation of ‘Janoobi Punjab’ province, the PML-N submitted a resolution in the NA Secretariat for the formation of four new provinces in the country. The resolution called for the formation of Bahawalpur, FATA, South Punjab and Hazara provinces.
In his reaction to the resolution passed in the National Assembly for the formation of ‘Janoobi Punjab’ province, Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar complained that the speaker had taken up such an important matter without giving notice. He said that there was too much noise in the House, and questioned how the speaker determined who had voted in favour of the resolution and who had not.
NA supports South Punjab province, PM
