National Assembly unanimously adopts resolution to form 16-member special committee for resolving house-related issues

ISLAMABAD, Sep 11 (SABAH): In the aftermath of the alleged arrests of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers from within the Parliament House premises, the government and the opposition on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution agreeing to constitute a 16-member special committee for resolving issues related to the house.

The resolution, tabled by Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar Advocate, called for the constitution of a parliamentary committee comprising members of the National Assembly (MNAs) from both treasury and opposition benches to discuss, analyse and propose recommendations regarding issues related to parliament and its smooth functioning.

The development came as Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq presided over the lower house’s session against the backdrop of heightened political tensions following the arrest of several PTI lawmakers for allegedly violating the newly enacted Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024 about the party’s public rally held in Islamabad on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, the speaker had also suspended the House’s Sergeant at Arms and four other security officials for the security lapse which saw lawmakers being allegedly arrested by the Islamabad police and masked men from within the NA’s premises.

Speaking during the NA session on Wednesday, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq recalled PTI founder Imran Khan’s premiership and lamented the denial of production orders by the then-speaker Asad Qaiser.

The PTI government didn’t issue production orders for our members during its tenure, Ayaz Sadiq said.

However, he maintained that “two wrongs did not make a right” and remarked: “I do not agree what your [PTI] government’s actions. Not issuing production orders was not the right thing to do then [and] it is not the right thing to do now”.

“I will do what is appropriate, what is required and what is necessary for [upholding] the parliament’s respect,” he added.

The speaker further said that he would try to get to the bottom of what happened.

A committee shall be constituted today so that the work commences from the same day, Ayaz Sadiq remarked while inviting PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan to meet him after the assembly’s session is adjourned.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari while addressing the NA session urged the treasury and the opposition benches to play their due role for the supremacy of the Constitution and the Parliament to strengthen democracy and resolve people’s problems.

Bilawal Bhutto said the elected representatives of the people and office bearers of provincial and federal governments will have to forge working relationship regardless of their political differences.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said abusive language used by the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa does not serve people’s interests rather a political point scoring.

He said time has come to review performance of the government on the economic front instead of resorting to mere criticism. He said the government had set a target of bringing down inflation to 12 percent for this year, but it has successfully reduced the price hike to 9.6 percent in just eight months for which the government should be commended.

The PPP Chairman urged the chair to form a high-power committee, having representation of all the parties, to run the Parliament in an amicable manner.

Welcoming Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s proposal, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said the government fully endorses this suggestion so that a policy can be evolved to take the country forward with collective wisdom.

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif called for protecting the interests of the common man instead of discussing political party affairs in the Parliament. He said bitterness of political rallies should not be brought to the parliament.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leader Syed Mustafa Kamal commended Speaker Ayaz Sadiq’s efforts for upholding the sanctity of the Parliament.

Senior PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan, speaking in the National Assembly, said that a meeting was held with the leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and other parties wherein the issuing of the production order was discussed.

He said that the speaker verbally told the inspector general of police that there would be a production order and that he should produce the lawmakers. However, he added that the Islamabad police have not implemented the speaker’s order. “The masked people came inside the Parliament House and this issue was raised yesterday [Tuesday].”

The PPP and other parties also agreed with us,” the PTI leader said.

He added that the Islamabad IG, upon asking, said that the masked people were not theirs.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said that the production orders do not require a written application, hoping they would be issued soon. “A written request is not required after the speaker’s ruling and a production order is our right,” the party chief added.

Barrister Gohar further told the speaker that they want the Parliament and the political forces to be strong.

Speaking about the rally, Barrister Gohar said that the rally was an excuse and the target was the party members. “We have always stressed negotiations and finding a way out for the sake of the country and democracy.

Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said his party has no intention to quit any assembly and will continue playing its role for the cause of democracy.

Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai told Speaker Ayaz Ayaz that he stands with him about the need for ensuring the Parliament’s supremacy and keeping the institutions with their constitutional ambits. “We are with you in upholding the supremacy of the Constitution, strengthening parliament and keeping every institution within the purview of the Constitution,” he said, during his speech in the NA.

Achakzai added that the developments that unfolded during PTI’s political event do not mandate an attack on the Parliament House. “It is unacceptable to use Ali Amin Gandapur’s words as an excuse to attack parliament,” he said, adding that the attack was unjustified and highly condemnable.

Mehmood Khan Achakzai assured the Speaker of entire opposition’s support for the supremacy of the Constitution and strengthening of the Parliament.