News
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Senators condemn PML-N MNA’s remarks against Naek
By Ijaz Kakakhel
ISLAMABAD: Members of the Upper House of parliament (Senate), on Wednesday, unanimously condemned the statement made by Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) female MNA, in which she blamed the Senate chairman for giving preference to a JUI- F candidate for the slot of opposition leader in the Senate.
On a point of order, Leader of the House, Syed Nayyer Hussain Bukhari, said that such statement by another parliamentarian against the Senate chairman was against democratic norms.
He termed it an insult of the entire Upper House, saying chairman was custodian of all members. “As the matter is already in progress and discussions are continuing in the Senate, the main purpose of issuing such statements is to influence the pending decision, which is likely to be announced soon,” Bukhari added.
Taking part in the debate, Senator Raza Rabbani said chairman or speaker of both the Houses were respectable persons. He said the issue of one House was raised by a member of another House and was breach of privilege. “Therefore, the matter should be referred to the privilege committee,” he proposed.
PML-N leader in Senate, Ishaq Dar informed the House that he would discuss the matter with his colleagues in the National Assembly and would respond to the House today (Thursday).
Condemning the statement made by PML-N MNA, opposition leader in Senate Abdul Ghafoor Haidri said being a parliamentarian, the MNA should not make such statement against the chair. He also demanded that the issue should be referred to the privilege committee.
Awami National Party’s Senator Zahid Khan expressed dissatisfaction that tolerance was taking roots in the country with no signs of diminishing. He regretted that a Punjab law minister issued a ‘Fatwa’, decreeing killing of a PPP stalwart, Babar Awan, but no action was taken against him. He demanded that the concerned female MNA should apology on floor of the House for making such derogatory remarks against the Senate chairman. “If parliamentarians abuse each other, then what will become of ordinary people?” he questioned.
He said that if proper action had been taken against Rana Sanaullah, then such derogatory
statement would not have been repeated.
Several other senators also condemned the statement and said PML-N was a big political party and they should question its lady MNA.
They said the Senate chairman was elected by 99 members of the Upper House and termed it an insult of the whole House. Some members termed it a dangerous trend on the part of parliamentarians to make such kinds of statements. They demanded that the concerned lady MNA Anusha Rehman Khan should withdraw her statement publicly.
Senators Gul Naseeb, Senate Deputy Speaker Mir Jan Jamali, Kalsoom Parveen, Saeeda Iqbal, Professor Khurshid, Rehmatullah Kakar, Haji Adeel, Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo and others also took part in the discussion.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk