Opposition to protest on Uniform as Amended Bill presented in NA
By Atta ul Mohsin Syed - Pakistan Times Staff Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: The Joint Opposition Monday resolved to oppose "The President to Hold Another Office Bill 2004" within the Parliament and organise rallies across the country.

Opposition leaders Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, Liaqat Baloch, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Abdul Ghafoor Haideri speaking to the media persons resolved to oppose the bill in the Parliament when it is presented for debate.

Firm Resistance

"People will see a more firm resistance to the bill when debate on it starts in the lower House," said Qazi Hussain Ahmed.

"We explored all avenue to normalise the situation and continuation of the democracy, but all of our efforts failed and now we have no other option than to go to people," Qazi stated.

The leaders said that they will be chalking up their strategy during Ramazan-ul-Mubarak and launch campaign soon after Ramazan to make the President fulfil his promise to shed uniform by December-31, 2004.

Raja Pervez Ashraf

Raja Pervez Ashraf said on this point the opposition will be united and campaign for the rights of people.

Liaqat Baloch

Liaqat Baloch said the bill is contrary to Constitution as it will pave way for Presidential system in the country.

Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan

Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan said three MNAs including himself wrote a dissenting note as they thought the bill was against the Constitution.

He said under the Constitution the COAS cannot be President of Pakistan and holding two offices was also unconstitutional.

Qazi Hussain Ahmed

To a question about duration of the protest, Qazi Hussain Ahmed said, "our protest will continue till our demand is met." He said whole of the opposition is united on this issue and they will collectively move forward.

Amended Bill presented to National Assembly

Meanwhile, the report of the Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights on "The President to Hold Another Office Bill 2004" was presented to National Assembly on Monday after recommending amendments in the draft Bill.

Rai Mansab Ali Khan, Chairman of the Standing Committee presented the amended Bill to the House amidst protest by the joint opposition.

The Committee after deliberation on the draft Bill had recommended three amendments in clause (2) of the Bill, in its report.

Protest

The Bill was introduced in the lower House of the Parliament by Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights, Wasi Zafar, during its Friday session.

With the presentation of the report to the House, the opposition members including Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Liaqat Baloch, Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Raja Pervez Asharf, Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and all other opposition parties MNAs gathered in front of the Speaker dice and chanted slogans against the Bill.

They also tore the copies of the Standing Committee report and pledged to oppose it within and outside the Parliament.

Note of Dissent

Three members of the Committee, MNAs Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan (PPPP), Mehreen Raja (PPPP) and Muhammad Usman Advocate (MMA) also gave a note dissent during Committee meeting that also forms the part of report.

The opposition members were chanting slogans standing in front of the Speaker's dice when Speaker National Assembly, Chaudhry Amir Hussain adjourned the House to meet again on Tuesday morning.

PPPP members raise Question of Privilege

Members of the Opposition in National Assembly belonging to PPPP Monday raised the question of privilege referring to a statement of Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Sher Afgan regarding the construction of Kalabagh Dam.

PPPP members including Nabeel Ahmad Gabol, Maulana Asad Bhutto, Nawab Yusaf Talpur, Ramesh Lal, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Sher Muhammad Baloch, Naeer Bukhari, Zafar Ali Shah, Aitzaz Ahsan, Raja Pervez Ashraf and others had moved two similar privilege motions.

Minister Rejects News

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Sher Afgan refuted the contents of a news item appeared in a section of the Sindhi press and referred by the opposition members.

Dr. Sher Afgan said, he did not make any such remarks, which could hurt the feelings of people of any province, adding, he had also issued a contradiction in this respect to the said newspaper.

"I cannot even think of making such remarks about Sindh province, from where the first ever resolution was passed in favor of Pakistan and the teachings of Islam entered this region from this area," he maintained.

New Water Reservoirs

The Minister, however, added that he has no hesitation to reiterate the government's stand on the importance of constructing new water reservoirs in the country, as we did not go for new water reservoirs, the country would face difficulties in coming years.

Dr. Sher Afgan said that despite the fact that he did not make any such remarks, but he feels sorry for the pain of feelings caused by the said incorrect news report.

Jamali's View

Former Prime Minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali also asked the opposition members not to believe in the said news item and should accept the view point and clarification of Dr. Sher Afgan, which he has made on the floor of the House.

The Speaker then disposed of the motions as the opposition members did not press further on the motions.●