Opposition walks out of NA over non-tabling of Fata Reforms Bill

ISLAMABAD: The opposition parties continued protest in the National Assembly by staging walkout from the House after the government again failed to move the bill envisaging reforms in tribal areas for the second day on Tuesday.

The situation led to adjournment of proceedings of the House which was not found in order after the PTI parliamentarians pointed out lack of quorum following the opposition parties’ walkout. Opposition Leader Syed Khursheed Shah while criticising non-serious attitude of the treasury benches said the Government was not sincere in Fata reforms and that was why it was using delaying tactics. He said the walkout and protest in the House would continue till the concerned minister comes with valid reasons for delay in moving the Fata Reforms Bill in the House.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad told the House that the government was serious in legislation for Fata reforms. He said the issue had also been taken up with the prime minister who was scheduled to leave for Turkey on Tuesday. He said the prime minister, who would also attend the National Assembly session on Friday, had also called parliamentary leaders of all the parties at breakfast on the same day.

He said all the issues pertaining to Fata reforms would be resolved during Friday’s meeting between the prime minister and parliamentary leaders. He said matters pertaining to Fata reforms bill and constitutional amendment for delimitation of constituencies will be sorted out through dialogue with the parties.

Khursheed Shah, however, was not satisfied with assurance of the minister as he said the prime minister was not serious in resolving the issue. “The premier could have attended the proceedings as he was scheduled to leave for Turkey in the evening but it seems that he is not serious,” he said.

The opposition leader said abrupt exclusion of the Fata reforms bill from order of the day of the National Assembly was big injustice with people of tribal areas, reaffirming his commitment to continue protest in the House. He said the government had missed the train on Fata reforms through its failure to get the bill passed by the House but it never came up with any solid reasons. “The government is insulting the Parliament and it never happens that agenda of proceedings is changed in this way,” he said.

Khursheed Shah pointed out that 70 years have passed since independence of Pakistan and now the people of Fata should be given their rights. “Our stance is very clear that the bill should be moved in the House otherwise it will be insult of the Parliament,” he said.

The opposition leader also felt non-seriousness of the Government with regard Palestine issue saying the government was taking the most important international matter lightly.

Asad Umar of the PTI while rejecting the government’s invitation for talks on Friday said decisions taken at breakfast tables would not acceptable. He questioned where was the government when it came to faith of the Muslims. “Then a general was distributing money at Faizabad bridge,” he said.

Mahmood Khan Achakzai said the Fata reforms issue was critical one and it should be taken up at joint sitting of the Parliament.

Shah Jee Gul Afridi said he had already proposed Achakzai to hold referendum in Fata. He said they would not allow any business in the National Assembly till the concerned bill is not brought to the House.