News
NA to focus on peace talks in its session on 24th* Grant of $1.5 billion by Saudi Arabia likely to be taken up by opposition
By Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: The government has summoned a session of the National Assembly on March 24, which is likely to focus on various national issues, particularly the peace talks with the Taliban militants and grant of $1.5 billion by a “friendly Muslim country”.
President Mamnoon Hussain summoned the assembly session in exercise of powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 54 of the constitution. The government side is presently working out the agenda for the next session and will face opposition’ queries about 1.5 billion dollar deposited in Pakistan Development Fund (PDF) by a “friendly Muslim country” which was later confirmed as Saudi Arabia what government believed was secured on the personal guarantee of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The largest parliamentary party from opposition benches Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) has already blown out the issue at great extent so far when it asked about the conditions attached to this generous Saudi’s donation especially in the backdrop of boiling issue of Syria when leaked media reports indicated that Pakistan arms sold to Saudi Arabia may slip down into the hands of Syrian rebels fighting against Basharul Asad regime in conflict-torn country.
Despite having an explicit and clear-cut reply from government that no strings are attached with this Saudi’s donation, PPPP submitted an adjournment motion to suspend the regular agenda to discuss what it believed “mysterious and sudden” strengthening of Pakistani rupee against USA dollar on the back of Saudi’s contribution in the form of 1.5 billion dollar in PDF.
To add support to the voice of PPP, Awami National Party (ANP) having only two members in the house of 342 also moved an adjournment motion in the house for discussion on this Saudi’s money which Sartaj Azia, Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs dubbed as “gifted” when the briefed a committee of Senate couple of days back.
The adjournment motion moved by PPP MNAs’ Syed Naveed Qamar, Dr NAfisa Shah, Dr Azra Fazal, Mrs Shazia Mari & Mrs Beelum Husnain sought the discussion on the issue as it has raised several questions and suspicions in the minds of people of Pakistan, even more so as there has been secrecy and total lack of transparency in the manner in which this contribution has been received by the government.
“The question to be asked is whether this ‘gift’ is a bilateral loan or a grant, and, what are the terms and conditions of such a loan or a grant? Why has there been mystery and secrecy surrounding this contribution, and the refusal by the Finance Minister to initially even name the country from whom the money was being received’, it added. The ongoing peace parley with Talban militants may also figure out in the coming session because what parliamentary circles believed the sensitivities attached to this issue. According to sources in PPP Parliamentary Party, the party would sought the reply of the government about its move to take on board Imran Khan, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) by not taking Opposition Leader in National Syed Khursheed Shah into the loop on talks with Talban militants.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk