Govt ineptitude shook country’s territorial integrity: Omar Ayub

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan on Wednesday claimed that the incumbent government, due to its corruption and inefficiency, had shaken the country’s territorial integrity.

The regime does not realise that the country is passing through a grave period, the opposition leader said while initiating the debate on the presidential address during the joint sitting of parliament.

He asserted that there was no rule of law in the country, alleging that intelligence agencies and police had been tasked with targeting the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder chairman, leaders and workers. He reiterated that both houses of parliament were incomplete, as reserved seats remained vacant, and criticised the entire structure as illegitimate, claiming it was based on Form 47. He argued that during the president’s address, while presiding over the joint session, the Senate chairman, National Assembly speaker and cabinet members were all occupying their positions illegally.

Strongly condemning the terrorist act of hijacking a passenger train in Balochistan and taking innocent people hostage, Omar Ayub accused the incumbent government of treating Balochistan as “business as usual” and urged that the issue of the terror act be addressed immediately by suspending the question hour at the start of Wednesday’s proceedings.

The opposition leader described the hijacking as a massive intelligence failure, questioning how terrorists were able to gather in large numbers to commit such a heinous crime.

The opposition leader claimed that political victimisation of PTI leaders and parliamentarians had reached its peak, with Punjab Police raiding and vandalising their houses, agricultural lands, and business sites.

Omar Ayub revealed that he and other parliamentarians, including PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, had received notices requiring them to appear before the Islamabad assistant IG (Legal) regarding anti-government statements. He questioned how a police officer, who is not part of parliament, but a tool of the state, could summon or inquire into the actions of parliamentarians.

Displaying a bundle of documents in the House, Omar Ayub stated that he had submitted numerous calling attention notices and questions but received no answers.

The opposition leader dismissed the government’s claims of a reduction in the inflation rate, stating that prices of essential commodities were skyrocketing. He questioned why the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) had not reduced the policy rate if, as the government claimed, the inflation rate had decreased. He predicted that food inflation would rise further due to the expected import of wheat.

He vowed to raise his voice for the rights of the people of Sindh, accusing the PMLN and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership of betraying them. Recalling the PPP leadership’s initial support for PTI’s stance on the Pakistan Digital Initiative, he alleged that they had changed their position overnight under pressure.

Omar Ayub mentioned that during a meeting with the incumbent Chief Justice of Pakistan, the chief justice had acknowledged that enforced disappearances were the most serious issue facing the country. He complained that the PTI founder was being denied rights under the jail manual and was not allowed to meet with lawyers.

The opposition leader reiterated his party’s demand for the formation of commissions to investigate the May 9 incidents and take action against the November 26 protest in Islamabad.