Opposition walks out of NA over delay in NFC Award

ISLAMABAD: The opposition parties on Wednesday staged a walkout on a number of issues, including the postponement of the NFC Award, privatisation of the Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC) and absence of ministers from the proceedings of the House.
The opposition members also protested against alleged discrimination against the women parliamentarians, by the government and opposition, in opposition, in distribution of development funds and a statement of minister of state for education about introduction of a uniform curriculum of Islamic Studies and Pakistan Studies in all parts of the country.
The PTI lawmakers also joined the walkout staged by the PPP members.Taking the floor on a point of order, Opposition Leader Syed Khursheed Shah criticised the government for not being serious in the parliamentary proceedings.
“Today Parliament stands with the government, but the rulers and government are not taking the House seriously,” Khursheed regretted.He recalled that the state minister for parliamentary affairs had expressed his helplessness in bringing ministers to the House.
Khursheed said there’re reports that the existing NFC Award was being extended for one year and demanded a new NFC Award in consultation with the provinces.He said the award should not be postponed for one year and questioned as to what was the reason behind postponing the NFC award.
The opposition leaders criticised the statement of Minister of State for Education Muhammad Balighur Rehman that a uniform curriculum of Islamic Studies and Pakistan Studies will be introduced countrywide.
“It is a constitutional matter and will be decided by the Council of Common Interests. Is the minister trying to start a new debate in the country?”Khursheed alleged that the government had sold out the Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC) to a company registered in Kenya at a cheap price and called it the economic murder of workers.
He also demanded that ministers should ensure their presence in Parliament. “There should be coordination between the government and Parliament, but it is lacking.”The opposition leader said there was discrimination in distribution of development funds between the opposition and government lawmakers.
Replying to the points raised by the opposition, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal told the House that the government believed in a transparent process of privatization.He said privatisations carried out by the PML-N government had passed in scrutiny and no transaction had been reversed by the court.
He said there were many question marks on the privatisations carried out during the PPP government adding that the PPP’s policies spoiled institutions, as they recruited people of their liking and paid huge amounts in the name of arrears.
He said irresponsible policies were adopted in leading institutions like the PIA adding that the government had to look after the interest of travelers along with the interest of labourers.Regarding the standardisation of curriculum, he informed the House that all education ministers of the federating units had agreed on a uniform syllabus during the PPP tenure.
He said in 2013 all education ministers had decided to form National Curriculum Council to bring uniformity in the curriculum.Ahsan Iqbal said development funds were not being released to MNAs in compliance with a verdict of the Supreme Court.
He said development schemes identified by the community were being implemented.“If any member has any complaint in this regard, it should be addressed on a priority basis. There is no question of discrimination in the provision of development funds to elected representatives.”