Dar says Allah knows no hurdle created in JIT working

Khursheed says JIT report dangerous, can create anarchy; opposition stages sit-in in front of Speaker’s dais; walks out of NA

ISLAMABAD: Responding to the points raised by the opposition members regarding the JIT, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said in the National Assembly on Wednesday that the government and state institutions were not creating hurdles in the working of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT).

He categorically said the PML-N was not creating any hindrance in the JIT proceedings. “I am fasting and Allah knows that neither I have created any hindrance in the JIT proceedings nor will do so in future.”

He said that there was not a refusal of cooperation by  ministry. He said, "he categorically rejected these objections as there was no reason to bar any of the departments under my ministry to cooperate in investigations,” he added. “I believe that heavens would do the justice,” he said.

He said, “The matter is sub judice and inquiry is on therefore, it does not suit to members to use this House as a compound of the court.” He further said certain steps by the JIT itself cast doubts among the people about its functioning.

The minister said the JIT was conducting a process saying the government had all the respect for the courts and it was also duty of the members that should avoid issuing verdicts on basis of news stories.

He said the PML-N always believed in supremacy of the Constitution. He said neither had he stopped any department from cooperating with JIT, nor would he stop them in future. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah said that the report submitted by JIT to the Supreme Court was dangerous and could give rise to anarchy saying that it gave an impression that the law was used only against the poor. He said the report categorically stated that facts were being distorted.

Meanwhile, the opposition parties adopted a novel way of lodging protest against absence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the National Assembly by staging sit-in in front of the dice of the Speaker.

All the opposition members staged a sit-in in front of dice of Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to wait for arrival of the prime minister to brief the House about his visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The opposition member led by Syed Khursheed Shah staged demonstration to reject the budget and walked out of proceedings while carrying placards. They also staged demonstration outside the Parliament House building with placards inscribed with slogans terming the budget anti-people.

The slogans with demands of 25 percent increase in pensions and salaries, increase in allocations for health and education sectors and demand for live telecast of opposition members’ speeches were written on the placards.

Hamidul Haq, a fire-brand PTI member tore his shirt in front of the dice. However, he was snubbed by the opposition leader for this act.

Speaking on a point of order, Opposition Leader Syed Khursheed Shah said that the prime minister had returned from his visit and today he should have come here to brief the House about his visit. “We will wait for the prime minister for a few minutes,” the opposition leader said. The opposition kept waiting for the Leader of the House and then staged walkout prior to speech of the finance minister.

Syed Khursheed Shah expressed serious concerns about the situation developing in the Gulf region. He said this situation also entailed serious implications for Pakistan. He said the prime minister should have come to the National Assembly today to brief the House about Pakistan's policy on the matter.

Turning to the internal situation, he said poverty ratio had increased in the country under the present regime. Shah Mehmood Qureshi of PTI demanded of the prime minister to tender his resignation till the JIT completed its working. He said the JIT’s initial report also categorically said that the state institutions were creating obstacles in its working. Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali and Mian Abdul Mannan continued interrupting Shah Mehmood Qureshi as ‘Dabba Peer’.