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  • Feb 23rd, 2005
  • Comments Off on National Assembly session resumes today
The National Assembly will meet here on Wednesday for the first session of the new parliamentary year. The government plans to table a set of amendments in the rules of procedure and conduct of business in the House. These include a change in the rules for naming of the leader of the opposition. The session would be first after President General Pervez Musharraf decided to continue wearing both caps beyond December 31 2004 deadline. Sources believe that the opposition may prefer not raise the issue of uniform, as it surprisingly did during Senate's session.

The change in rules could catapult Amin Fahim into the seat of opposition leader, reliving Fazlur Rehman of his 'responsibility'.

The opposition is expected to give tough time to the government on Balochistan stand-off, and havoc caused by the torrential rains and floods in different parts of the country.

However, it will be interesting to note how the opposition raises the issue of keenly-awaited President Musharraf's address to the joint session of Parliament. As per Constitution, the President should address Parliament's joint sitting at the start of a new parliamentary year.

The opposition is also expected to discuss the reported 'misconduct' of National Assembly Secretary Mahmood Salim Mahmood at a foreign airline. "Yes, it is tantamount to breach of the House privilege. We will like the government to place facts before the House on the matter," remarked Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, Deputy Secretary-General of MMA.

He told Business Recorder that the opposition would not let the Assembly skip this controversial matter. He demanded that if what was reported in the media was correct, there was no logic in retaining the secretary.

Meanwhile, the ruling coalition parties will meet in the Parliament House in the afternoon to chalk out its strategy for House business. PML President Shujaat Hussain is expected to preside.

On the other hand, Pakistan Peoples Party, Muslim League (Nawaz) and MMA would hold separate meetings, before they sit down for a collective line of action in the House.

Opposition parties have filed more than 100 adjournment and privilege motions, particularly on law and order in Balochistan and elsewhere in the country.

The treasury may face drubbing for its handling of the situation in Balochistan, with special reference to gang-rape of a PPL employee Dr Shazia Khalid, sources said.

They said that the opposition could enjoy support of women members from the treasury on the question of a cut in the seats of women in the local bodies elections.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005


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