Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The government on Wednesday succeeded in getting the controversial Inquiry Commission Bill 2016 passed from the National Assembly as the opposition staged a walkout.

Earlier, the government failed thrice to get the bill passed due to a lack of quorum. However, the treasury managed to bring in the required number of lawmakers and passed the bill this time.

Under the law, the inquiry commission has been given additional and special powers. The commission would have the powers of a criminal court under Criminal Procedure Code.

The bill aimed at setting up fact-finding commissions on a number of important national issues in the past with greater powers. It provides for the constitution of a powerful commission for investigation into various issues, including Panama Papers.

The federal and provincial governments and authorities would be bound to assist the commission. The final or sub-reports of the commission could be published. The opposition did not participate in the proceedings.

Before the voting, PPP MNA Shazia Marri pointed out the quorum. However, after counting it turned out that there were enough members to meet the quorum.

But, she challenged the count. Upon this, the speaker after getting the doors of the Assembly Hall locked asked her to make the counting. Even after the second count, it turned out that there were enough members in the House. After this, the House approved the bill with a majority vote.

Mahmood Khan Achakzai and two lawmakers from FATA went to the gallery and watched the bill getting passed.

The assembly also passed Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2016 and Public-Private Partnership Authority Bill 2016. After the passage of the bills, PPP MNA Ejaz Jakhrani protested against the government’s attitude, saying that the government was not ready to give any importance to the opposition.

Earlier, the NA passed a unanimous resolution expressing grief over the demise of Cuban leader Fidel Castro. The resolution said Pakistan valued Castro’s unconditional support to Pakistan during the earthquake of 2005 and granting over one thousand scholarships to medical students of Pakistan.

The House passed a unanimous resolution condemning ceasefire violations on the Line of Control and gross human rights violations in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) by Indian troops.

The House has now been prorogued.