NA extends 7 ordinances promulgated by caretakers

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Friday extended seven ordinances which were promulgated by the caretaker regime to meet conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

The PTI-backed members from Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) opposed extension of ordinances while the PPP parliamentarians initially expressed their reservations over the move with the condition that ordinances should laid before the National Assembly in shape of bills.

Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, while responding to a point raised by the PPP member Abdul Qadar Patel, said that three days prior notice to lay and extend ordinances was not given because of IMF-related issues. “Pakistan will suffer if this matter is delayed,” he said. He said that the rules regarding three-day notice would have to be suspended in the national interests.

As the Speaker put the motion to lay ordinances for extension before the House for the voice vote, the opposition demanded count of votes. On counting, 130 members were found in support of motion and 63 against it.

The ordinances extended for 120 days include the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Amendment) Ordinance 2023, the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (Amendment) Ordinance 2023, the Pakistan Postal Services Management Board (Amendment) Ordinance 2023, the National Highway Authority (Amendment) Ordinance 2023, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance 2023, the Privatisation Commission (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 and the Establishment of Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal Ordinance 2023.

The ordinances were required to be extended for another 120 days as required by Clause (2) of Article 89 of the Constitution

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Omar Ayub Khan also opposed extension in period of ordinances which were promulgated by the interim regime. Syed Naveed Qamar expressed his serious reservations on the way the ordinances were being extended and on content of the ordinances

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the prime minister had directed for taking on board all allied parties for purpose of legislation and order formation of a committee in this connection.

He said after the ordinances laid on floor of the House, those have become bills and would be sent to the related standing committees of the House.

He said that the ordinances were meant to give autonomy to boards of these entities and given them more independence to take their decisions.

The law minister said that writing letter to the IMF for suspension of bailout programme would have to be given up. He said that the ordinances would be sent to the standing committees concerned and then the same would be presented before the National Assembly as bills once cleared by the committees.

The Speaker said he would be forced to take disciplinary action if opposition members continue to tear copies of agenda anymore.

The caretaker regime promulgated four ordinances including the National Highway Authority (Amendment) Ordinance 2023, Pakistan Postal Services Management Board (Amendment) Ordinance 2023, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (Amendment) Ordinance 2023, and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 in November 2023.

The amendments in the laws of the entities as signed by the president were made to bring them in conformity with the State Owned Enterprises (Governance and Operations) Act 2023, promulgated in January 2023.

These amendments are a part of the SOE reforms agreed by Pakistan with the international partners, and are included in the SBA (Standby Agreement) programme with the IMF as a structural benchmark.

Through the new amendments, the offices of the chairman of the board and the chief executive would be separated in all the above named entities to ensure good governance in line with international best practices. Independent members would be inducted in the boards of the entities, who would add fresh ideas and independent expertise in the decision making process.

The National Assembly, meanwhile, passed a resolution categorically condemning Israeli war on Palestinians particularly mentioning recent martyrdom of 21 innocent people who were standing in line for aid during the month of Ramazan.

“This House categorically condemns Israeli war on Palestine where the latest cost 21 lives Palestinians standing in line for aid during the holy month of Ramazan,” the resolution moved by Pakistan Peoples Party leader Shazia Marri said.

The resolution also coincides with the International Day on Islamophobia. “This House recognises this day as the International Day to combat Islamophobia and reiterates that the Islam is religion of peace, tolerance and acceptance,” the resolution said.

The House denounced the continued Israeli aggression which has led to the loss of 30,000 lives of Palestinians since October 07 last year. The resolution called upon the federal government to play a more proactive role in pushing the international community to enforce a ceasefire in Gaza.

The House also offered Fateha for the Palestinians martyred in Gaza.

Responding to a calling attention notice moved by Naveed Qamar and others, Minister for Commerce Jamal Kamal Khan said the temporary ban on export of bananas and onions is Ramazan specific. He said the decision was taken at the cabinet level after a summary was moved to it by the Ministry of National Food Security.

At the outset, five newly elected members on women reserved seats took oath of their membership of House.

Earlier, Shazia Marri sought to raise the issue of Palestine which was immediately supported by Aamir Dogar of Sunni Ittehad Council. However, the PTI-backed members from SIC, who had just rejected extension of ordinances for another 120 days, in the first instance said “No” when resolution was put to vote. When the Speaker asked them to have unanimity on at least one issue, and put the resolution to vote again, only one “No” was heard. The Speaker announced that the resolution has been passed “almost” unanimously.

Meanwhile, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar laid before the House two bills on Friday. These included: The Civil Courts Amendment Bill, 2024 and the Legal Aid and Justice Authority Amendment Bill, 2024.

The chair referred the bills to the standing committees concerned. Later, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari termed the opposition by PTI backed SIC members to the resolution condemning Israel “shameful”.

He took a “X” and posted, “Shame on PTI” while tagging the clip in which Shazia Marri moving the resolution shared by a “X” consumer.

While Secretary Information PPP Parliamentarians Shazia Marri also reacted strongly against the attitude of the PTI backed SIC on opposition of the resolution condemning Israeli war on Palestinians and said the negative thinking of PTI is being exposed. “The slogans of “No No” by the Sunni Unity Council on the resolution regarding Gaza are shameful,” she said in a statement on Friday.