—PM Khan to brief parliament about visit to Saudi Arabia
ISLAMABAD: The government and opposition are set to clash in a fiery session of the parliament on Monday over the government’s decision to introduce the mini-budget, review of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and India’s refusal to Pakistan’s offer for the resumption of dialogue.
The parliament will also discuss the forensic audit of mass transit projects initiated by the previous governments and the court cases against the Sharif family and other PML-N leaders.
After a brief lull, opposition leader in the NA and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif is planning to come hard on the federal government in the parliament over the recently announced mini-budget, review of CPEC and other issues.
A senior PML-N leader told Pakistan Today that Shehbaz Sharif has convened a party meeting in the parliament house on Monday where the party lawmakers will be briefed over the party’s policy vis-a-vis recent developments taking place in the country.
“The parliamentary party meeting of the PML-N would be chaired by Shehbaz Sharif and take party leaders into confidence over the situation developing after the release of PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Captain (r) Safdar,” the PML-N leader said. He added that the party has also decided to strongly criticise the PTI government’s recent decisions.
“According to the strategy, soon after the parliamentary party meeting, Shehbaz will also speak to the media to highlight these issues. The decision has perhaps been taken to clear the air about the allegations rife about a deal struck for the release of the Sharif family leadership,” he said, adding that the party wanted to remove even an iota of doubt against the commitment of the Sharifs with the party’s cause and principles.
According to another PML-N leader, Shehbaz Sharif would be accompanied by Khwaja Mohammad Asif, Murtaza Javed Abbasi and others.
Moreover, in the session, Prime Minister Imran Khan is also likely to take the National Assembly lawmakers into confidence about his recent visit to Saudi Arabia. Finance Minister Asad Umar is also likely to brief the parliament on the government’s recent decision to make Saudi Arabia an official partner in the CPEC and the proposal of developing an Oil City in Gwadar with an estimated investment of US$ 10 billion.
This would be the first investment by any third country in the CPEC which is being seen as a major shift from the agreed policy with China.
According to the CPEC agreement between Pakistan and China, no third party would be allowed to join the CPEC till the completion of early harvest projects which are likely to mature by 2020. However, during the recent meeting between Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his recent trip, China agreed to Pakistan’s request for inclusion of a third party in the CPEC.
The failed overture by Prime Minister Imran Khan to resume dialogue between Pakistan and India will be raised by the opposition leader, who will also call into question PTI’s past rhetoric on PML-N’s India policy.
According to sources, a heavy agenda awaits the National Assembly session on Monday. A calling attention notice is also on the agenda list regarding non-upgradation/maintenance of Pakistan Code by ministry of law and justice with regard to an amendment made in section 182 of Pakistan Penal Code.
The government also plans to lay ordinances before the National Assembly including Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 and the Elections (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018.
Finance Minister Asad Umer will move Finance Supplementary (Amendment) Bill, 2018 to amend certain laws relating to taxes and duties.
In the Senate, PML-N Chairman Senator Raja Zafarul Haq is likely to lead the charge to neutralize the rumours of a deal between PTI and the PML-N.
Since the opposition enjoys a majority in the Senate, the opposition is likely to dominate and all issues would be brought to the fore to nail down the number-weak treasury benches in the upper house.
Further, Leader of the House in Senate Syed Shibli Faraz, who is also the convener of the special committee on circular debt, would present a report of the committee on circular debt to be adopted by the house.
