While repeating their demand for lifting of the governor’s rule from Balochistan, the lawmakers of Balochistan Assembly on Monday claimed that they would again form the government by winning the upcoming general elections.
The Balochistan Assembly session met about one and half hour late with Speaker Syed Matiullah in the chair. Only 14 lawmakers out of total 65 were present during the session, but none of the members pointed out the incomplete quorum. After the imposition of governor’s rule, the session was summoned by the speaker on requisition of 19 members. A motion was moved in the House on the part of 17 members for debate on the recommendations of the Islamic Ideological Council (IIC), headed by JUI-F leader Muhammad Khan Sheerani. JUI-F parliamentary leader Abdul Wasay moved the motion which was approved by the House for debate. Initiating debate on the IIC recommendations, Wasay said it was regrettable that some political parties were celebrating the imposition of governor’s rule but they should remember that they (JUI-F and coalition partners) would succeed again in forthcoming elections.
Criticising media, the JUI-F leader said that media was giving maximum coverage to undemocratic forces and the real representatives of the people were being neglected.
He said that due to struggle of their elders the IIC was formed so that all legislations could be made in accordance with Shariah, adding that after the constitution of 1973 parliament and other institutions did not adopt its recommendations. He said that Pakistan was formed in the name of Islam and thousands of people rendered their lives for an Islamic system.
He lamented that the IIC recommendations had not been given due importance in the past, but Sherani prepared the recommendations and dispatched them to the assembly for legislation within a short period of two years.
He said that when President Zardari could impose the governor’s rule in Balochistan through a presidential decree, similarly the recommendations of IIC should also be implemented with a presidential decree in the country.
Wasay criticised the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) which initiated investigation against ministers for alleged illegal practices and misappropriation and said that it was tantamount to blackmailing the whole Balochistan Assembly. He said that NAB could arrest and malign lawmakers of the Balochistan Assembly, but it could not eliminate them from the hearts of people.
BNP-Awami lawmaker Asad Baloch criticised the federal government for imposition of governor’s rule in Balochistan and said that the province was being run like a British colony. Following imposition of governor’s rule, their funds were suspended, he said, adding that if they were members of the provincial assembly then their funds should also be put on their discretion otherwise the assembly should also be dissolved.
Other members such as Ainullah Shams and Shahnawaz Marri also criticised the federal government for imposition of governor’s rule in the province and termed it against the mandate of millions of people. They said that some forces were paving the way for opposition parties like National Party and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party to win upcoming elections, adding that the JUI-F and the Balochistan National Party were being implicating in false cases.
