–Imran accuses opposition of using democracy to hide corruption
–Says govt has introduced seven bills in parliament for people’s welfare, hopes Opp will support legislation
ISLAMABAD: As rumours regarding presidential system make rounds in the media, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday allayed these reservations, assuring the nation that “the government hasn’t even thought of imposing the presidential system in the country”.
“There’s no truth in these rumours. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is not considering any such move,” Imran said while talking to a select group of journalists at Prime Minister’s House.
He also revealed that former finance minister Asad Umar would soon rejoin the federal cabinet, weeks after the latter resigned from his position in protest when he was told to take charge of the Energy Ministry.
Imran, who has mentioned on multiple occasions that changing ministers is just like changing batter orders, said that the govt will make use of all suitable individuals for the good of the country.
The prime minister said that he doesn’t have enough experts, so he was using technocrats for the job. He was apparently responding to the criticism raised by the opposition on the inclusion of technocrats into his government.
“In the absence of experts, we are employing technocrats,” the premier said, adding that he has to show the performance of his government.
Imran, who came into power on his promises to eradicate corruption, said that government won’t give an NRO [National Reconciliation Ordinance] to anyone and he won’t let the opposition parties get away with their corrupt practices using democracy as an excuse.
Reiterating his resolve, the prime minister said he does not care about his premiership but will not sign another “deal”.
“In 2016, Chaudhry Nisar stated that Bilawal Bhutto and Ayyan Ali’s bills were being paid by the same accounts. Are these cases made up by me,” asked the prime minister while referring to the ongoing accountability process in the country.
He also shared that the government was bringing forth seven bills for the welfare of the public.
Among the bills introduced in the National Assembly included Legal and Justice Authority Bill 2019, Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission Bill 2019, Civil Procedure (Amendment) Bill 2019, Letters of Administration and Succession Certificates Bill 2019, Enforcement of Women’s Property Right Bill 2019 and Muslim Family Law (Amendment) Bill 2019.
Asked as to how the government would get the bills passed from Senate where they lacked required majority, he said the government was going to play its role for public welfare and desires a positive behaviour from the opposition.
“If opposition stands with us to pass these bills, it will be a good thing,” he added.
There was a hue and cry after Imran Khan came into power. It was being claimed that the military supported him to seize power. A commission was also formed to probe the alleged rigging. However, there has been headway in this regard.
“I was asked to make an inquiry commission for alleged election rigging and I did that, but the opposition did not even show up for the making of the commission.”
PM Imran further claimed that he felt ashamed to sit in the National Assembly because of the unsavoury language used by the opposition. “I am unable to comprehend what happens in parliament. For eight months, there has only been conflict there.”
Though the premier has made these comments, but according to a report— in January – in a local media outlet the prime minister himself has attended only six out of 34 National Assembly sittings, meaning thereby that he has to date been part of only 17.65 per cent sessions.
TWO-TIER JUSTICE SYSTEM:
Briefing journalists about the salient features of the bills, Federal Law Minister Barrister Firough Nasim said under the Civil Procedure (Amendment) Act 2019, the government had proposed a two-tier concept of legal system.
In first tier, the main case would be heard and not be interrupted till finalization of the proceedings. In case of miscellaneous petition or stay order, these would be heard in second tier by a different judge.
According to the new concept, losing side would pay the winning side the cost of litigation along with compulsory “adjournment costs” of Rs 5,000 for seeking adjournment as well as special costs if any party was found of abusing the court process through frivolous litigation.
Another bill the government proposes to authorize the National Database Registration Authority to issue Letters of Administration or Succession Certificates to the legal heirs of a deceased in respect of the immovable or movable property in accordance with the Family Registration Certificate maintained by NADRA where there was no dispute among the heirs.
He said under Enforcement of Women’s Property Right Bill 2019, the government had proposed to utilize the existing Women Ombudsperson for receiving the complaints of any woman deprived of ownership or possession or properties.
If the case required in-depth inquiry, the matter would be referred to the civil court preferably within 60 days that would save the women themselves from filing the cases in the said courts. After passage, the law would be applicable to the federal capital, while the provinces have been asked to follow the suit.
Under Muslim Family Law (Amendment) Bill 2019, concerning the Shiite school of thought, the widow of the deceased would get 1/4th share. Moreover, under the proposed bill related to the very sect, divorce would be ineffective if it was done jokingly, under anger, intoxication or under coercion.
The law minister said another bill to safeguard the overseas Pakistanis against the fraudulent activities was also in process. Moreover, the reforms in CRPC and NAB laws would also be introduced.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who is also the deputy parliamentary leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in National Assembly, told media that by passing the said bills, the impression of the parliament should be rectified.
He said the seven bills had been laid in the parliament and referred to the standing committees concerned. The opposition had the opportunity to put in their contribution to improving the legislation, he added.
The premier also addressed Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor’s recent remarks that the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) had been receiving funds from foreign intelligence agencies.
“According to intelligence reports, a few members of PTM had received foreign funding,” he said.
