National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq informed the National Assembly here Monday that he had issued production orders of MNA Jamshad Dasti who was arrested on June 8.
Responding to the leader of the opposition’s concerns over the arrest, the speaker said that Dasti was arrested on June 8 while he received a written application for the provision of the production order on Monday, June 12.
He said that in past the production orders had been issued after written requests were received, adding that he had earlier issued production orders for Shah Jahan Baloch, Kanwar Naveed Jameel after they wrote for provision of the same.
He said that he once, did not allow unlawful arrest of Nawab Wasan in a raid during the National Assembly’s proceedings. He said that it has been a practice since 2013 that whenever such incidents took place, the speaker was sent written request for issuance of production orders adding that since he did not receive such requests from Dasti earlier, so he did not issue the same.
Shah lamented that one MNA was disrespected outside parliament while another was arrested. He was of the view that If he had done crime, he should be punished, but until the allegation are proved, he should be given right to speak.
He said that the nation had always worked for supremacy and sovereignty of the parliament, adding that we had restored the constitution of 1973 but now things were moving towards weakening this supreme institution again.
Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader, Shah Mehmood Qureshi lamented that Dasti was being kept in a cell. He was of the view said that indiscrimination was being meted out with the arrested MNA adding that there must be some guiding principles to protect the privilege and rights of the members of this house.
He said that the speaker should raise his voice against the fake allegations leveled against the arrested MNA.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar on Monday reiterated resolve of his party to thwart conspiracies of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan against the development projects in the country.
‘Imran is siding with those forces which are conspiring against Pakistan and its development projects including the game changer China Pakistan Economic Corridor’, he said in response to allegations of PTI MNA Shah Mahmood Qureshi. He also asked Imran Khan to shun the policy of intolerance and rudeness. ‘You will ruin the younger generation if you do not opt for decent language and mannerism’.
He also reminded Shah Mahmood Qureshi of the events and miseries through which the PML-N and the PPP-P leaders had passed through for survival of democracy in the country.
He said in conspiracies against democracy Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was hanged and Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto were sent in exile.
Safdar said despite all conspiracies being hatched against the PML-N leadership, he was confident that PML-N would be once again successful in 2018 elections and form the next government.
Lawmakers at the National Assembly Monday debated on the recommendations forwarded by the Senate of Pakistan for incorporation in the budget for the fiscal year 2017-18.
Naeema Kishwar while speaking on the Senate proposals said that many of these proposals should be adopted and accommodated in the budget for the fiscal year 2017-18.
She particularly mentioned the proposals regarding the development of agriculture sector and also highlighted the importance of FATA reforms.
She said that ten percent increase in the salaries of government employees was not enough, which she said should be enhanced up to 20% and if not possible, at least 15% raise should be given.
Muhammad Pervaiz while participating in the budget debate congratulated the finance minister and his team for presenting the 5th budget of the democratic government.
Taking part in the budget debate, MNA Qari Muhammad Yousuf said that Pakistan was having important status among the Muslim countries for being a nuclear power, adding that the enemies were targeting various targets to weaken the country.
He said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was dream of our ancestors which would be taken to the logical conclusion.
The house was later adjourned to meet again on Tuesday, June 13 at 3pm.