Nisar distances himself from report on ‘Mohajir Republican Army’

• Report on never-heard-of militant group rattles NA
• Interior minister says report submitted to SC without his consent
• Requests for withdrawal of report

In an apparent damage-control measure, Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan on Friday distanced the government from his very ministry’s report submitted with the Supreme Court claiming an alleged role of Mohajir Republic Army (MRA) in the Karachi unrest, stating that he would make a request to the court to withdraw the report, as such an administrative and intelligence report should not have been submitted.

Nisar says he has written to the SC for withdrawing the report, which had been submitted by none other than the chief law officer of the federal government, Attorney General for Pakistan Munir A Malik, on Aug 29.

During the NA session, PPP’s Imran Zafar Leghari reacted to the retraction of the government’s claim about the MRA, asserting that the news had dropped a bombshell in Karachi and educational institutions and markets had been closed due to the report.

Earlier, MQM’s Khwaja Sohail Mansur also raised his concerns about the government’s report. He asked the government why a false allegation had been levelled if there was no evidence against MRA.

Responding to the points raised by both lawmakers, Nisar said in the National Assembly that he had not said that there was no evidence of the MRA. However, he said the report had been submitted without his knowledge and in his view, such a report should not have been submitted with the SC.

“There was a mention of the Mohajir Republican Army in an administrative meeting, but the report was presented to the Supreme Court without my permission,” Nisar said, requesting the apex court to withdraw the report.

Many political parties have expressed concern over the report and the mention of an unknown group allegedly involved in the Karachi unrest.

About firing incident on AML chief Sheikh Rashid, Nisar said investigation was underway and he was not satisfied with the initial report by the police about the mishap. “The matter will be probed thoroughly,” he maintained.

Earlier, Sheikh Rashid seemed reluctant to speak over the matter, saying that it was not first incident, as he had faced four attempts on his life.

He said he had no enmity and expressed gratitude to the federal and Punjab governments for taking steps for his security.

Legislative business:

Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanvir Hussain laid before the House “The Service Tribunals (Amendment) Bill‚ 2013”. He also laid before the House “The Electoral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance‚ 2013”.

Oath-taking:

At the outset of the proceedings‚ eight lawmakers who recently got elected in the by-elections, took oath of office.

Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq administered the oath.

PIA:

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad admitted during the National Assembly session that Pakistan International Airline (PIA) was incurring a loss of Rs 100 million daily largely due to an ageing fleet, cash shortage, devaluation of Pakistani rupee, high fuel prices ,heavy loans resulting in high financial cost, frequent changes in management, high number of employees/aircraft. He said the national flag carrier faced loss of about Rs 60 billion during the last two years due to mismanagement and inaction on the part of previous PPP government.

He said the present government had given a package of Rs 12.70 billion to PIA for its restructuring.

Ahmad said six small aircraft would be procured on lease for PIA to provide better travelling facilities to the domestic travellers.

Railways privitisation:

The National Assembly was informed on Friday that the government had no plans to privatise Pakistan Railways.

While responding to a question by Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Minister for Railways Khwaja Saad Rafique informed the Lower House that there was no proposal under consideration to privatise Pakistan Railways.

He said freight operation of PR would gradually be increased and by the end of 2013, at least six trains would be operated on a daily basis‚ which would help generate revenue of Rs 20 million to Rs 25 million a day.

Saad said several steps had been taken to regain PR’s repute among the masses, including readjustment of fair to attract more passengers so they prefer to avail the facility of train services for travelling.

To another question, the minister said there was no proposal under consideration of the government to lease out railway lands.

He said Pakistan Railways was in the process to procure 208 new locomotives besides rehabilitation of dysfunctional locomotives.

He said the entire fleet of locomotives was past its prime and there was need to replace them with new ones.