Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: A vague explanation by State Minister Shaikh Aftab Ahmed over release of funds angered Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Khurshid Shah.

Shah warned to move a privilege motion if his requested details would not be shared until Tuesday (today).

Earlier, it was reported by the media that the federal government released Rs 30 billion earmarked for the community development schemes on the recommendations of lawmakers under the head of Prime Minister’s Global SDGs achievement programme in a one go instead of its routine mechanism of releasing funds in four installments.

The National Assembly begun its proceedings on Monday with a delay of 90 minutes at 4:25pm and resumed the ongoing debate on the Election Bill 2017.

Khurshid Shah, on a point of order, asked the government to share the names of lawmakers who received Rs 30 billion.

Speaker Ayaz Sadiq asked State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmed to respond after consulting with the government, who could not give a clear answer.

The minister said, “The program includes small schemes, which will be completed under the supervision of the notables of different areas.”

He flared up when some opposition lawmakers asked him to share the names of the ‘notables’.

Aftab asked the opposition members to stay calm and be in their limits. He said, “I am not bound to answer you.”

However, the opposition leader again took the floor and criticized the behavior of the treasury benches. He said, “We are elected representatives and it is our right to question whereas the government is bound to answer.”

“We are not the judges of judiciary whom you can abuse,” he said. “A positive message should be to go outside this parliament and it is your wish either you want to normalise the scenario already built outside or to fuel it.”

He said, “You have done a lot of wrong things even lost your prime minister due to this madness, but learnt nothing from it. We think that you should complete your tenure.”

“The media report contains word MNA so it is our right to ask that whom the government gave these funds to,” he added.

Election Bill 2017: The NA started discussion on a motion moved by Law Minister Zahid Hamid regarding Election Bill 2017.

Taking part in the discussion, members said the amount of expenses for the election campaign should be enhanced.

The members said that the overseas Pakistanis should be granted right to vote in the next elections.

The members said that the caretaker government should be formed on fifty percent proposals each from the government and opposition.

They said that the biometric system should be introduced in the next elections for verification and identifications of the voters.

Concluding the debate, Hamid said that around 105 amendments have been received since the bill was tabled. “We have accepted 44 out of total 105 amendments purposed by the member and now opposition should show some flexibility and approve the bill unanimously.”

The House was adjourned to meet again on Tuesday (today) where the approval of Elections Bill 2017 is expected.

Published in Daily Times, August 22^nd 2017.