Putting the House in order
New code of conduct for NA members

The National Assembly has reportedly formulated a 30-point code of conduct for the National Assembly members. The code, which empowers the speaker to initiate disciplinary action against members for non-compliance is meant to put a curb on rowdy behavior, besiege, slogan chanting and un-parliamentary protest during assembly sessions. However, there have reportedly been some disagreements among the members of the Special Committee, which formulated the Code; some members were of the view that the code would result in curtailment of freedom of speech available to parliamentarins. >>

Balochistan crisis, increased oil prices dominate senate session

ISLAMABAD: The nineteenth session of the Upper House was prorogued here on February 15, 2005 amid an uproar over the use of the controversial name of Pakhtunkhawa for the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) by some senators.

Earlier, the Senate session had been dominated by heated debates on the situation in Balochistan, privatization of Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) and the recent rise in oil and gas prices. People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) senators came down heavily on Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro for ‘dropping their bills from the house’, while the opposition members were on a walkout. The move came after the treasury benches refused introduction of two bills proposed by Senator Raza Rabbani. After the Leader of House Wasim Sajjad told senators that the opposition was not ready to end its walkout, Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro decided to drop all the bills and other motions whose authors were not present. The action meant that all the five opposition bills, three resolutions and four motions that were killed would have to be submitted by their authors again to the Senate secretariat to be put on the future agenda.

The two-week session had begun on February 2, with Mian Raza Rabbani being notified as Opposition Leader. In his speech Mr. Rabbani lashed out at 'sweeping presidential powers' and vowed to carry along all opposition groups, including the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA). Later, Rabbani moved a resolution to discuss the situation in Balochistan.

Next day, the Senate saw a heated debated on the Balochistan crisis. Opposition senators criticized the federal government's handling of the situation. They also demanded greater provincial autonomy and handing over of provincial resources to the government of the province. Senator Aslam Buledi warned that if the people of Balochistan were not given their rights the 'insurgency' would keep growing. He demanded removal of 33,000 FC personnel from Balochistan.

Senator Amanullah Kanrani of the Jamhoori Watan Party called the alleged rape of a lady doctor at the Sui gas field as part of a conspiracy by those opposing still unannounced recommendations of a parliamentary committee on Balochistan. From the treasury benches, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sher Afgan Khan Niazi, prime minister's Adviser on Women Development Neelofar Bakhtiar and Senator Mrs Tanvir Khalid all said those responsible for the lady doctor's rape at Sui deserved exemplary punishment.

On an adjournment motion moved by opposition leader Raza Rabbani the House discussed the recent privatization of KESC. Mr Rabbani described sale of 73 per cent of KESC shares to a consortium of Saudi Knooz Group as a compromise on the country's economic sovereignty. Opposition members also raised the issue of increase in petroleum prices on points of order.

Responding to the concerns raised by the opposition senators, Minister of State for Finance, Omar Ayub Khan said the government had decided to increase oil price after a hike in prices in the international market. Minister for Investment and Privatization, Hafiz Sheikh, said that privatization of KESC would be beneficial for the country as well as for the employees of the KESC. He said that after privatization of KESC, employee’s salary would increase by about 20 per cent and they would get 10 per cent shares.

Dr, Sher Afgan Khan Niazi, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs introduced motion for the amendment of rules of procedure and conduct of business in the senate, 1988. The motion was adopted and proposed rules were sent to the standing committee on rules and procedure.

On the fourth day of the session, journalists staged a walk out from the senate demanding the implementation of wage board. They also condemned torture and registration of ‘fake FIRs’ against journalist in Karachi. Later the House passed a resolution that the government ensures the implementation of 7th wage board award for journalists.

In a highly positive move, the treasury and opposition benches overcame their differences to create a token relief fund from their salaries for one month to help victims of rains and snow storms.