The stage is set for the opposition parties to speak extensively in parliament on the government’s “incompetence and maneuvering” on various issues of national importance, as both Houses meet today (Thursday) at Parliament House.
Amidst rising political temperature in the backdrop of the Senate chairman’s fresh ruling on the controversial issue of the Senate opposition leader position, the opposition parties, particularly the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), are likely to tear a strip off the government for not implementing the Supreme Court’s orders, the recent wave of violence in Karachi and the “massive rigging and misuse of government resources” during the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections.
The PML-N, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and other opposition parties in the Senate had moved on July 8 to requisition a session of both Houses of parliament to discuss the violence in Karachi, government’s failure to implement the Supreme Court’s orders and alleged rigging in the recent Kashmir polls.
The top leadership of the PML-N and MQM had resolved to set aside their bitter history and work as a joint opposition in parliament, but the latter seemed to be tilting again towards the ruling alliance.
The MQM’s explicit support for the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F)’s Abdul Ghafoor Haideri for the post of Senate opposition leader against the PML-N’s Ishaq Dar, and the return of Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad to his office are two clear indications of a dying friendship between the MQM and the PML-N.
Under the situation, both Houses are likely to witness heated debates on the controversial issues. However, two fresh developments on the political front of the country, the return of Ebad to his office and the Senate chairman’s ruling, may change the dynamics of the proceedings, with the MQM opting for a middle line and the PML-N aggressively venting its spleen over the failure of Dar’s bid for the opposition leader slot.
The situation in the Senate may turn a little noisier if the PML-N and its allies (PML-Likeminded and others) adopt the previous strategy of protesting on the opposition leader issue.
Meanwhile, production orders for National Assembly Member (MNA) Hamid Saeed Kazmi, currently in police custody for his involvement in the Haj scam, were issued on Wednesday, while similar orders for MNA Anjum Aqeel could not be confirmed.
