Govt fails to table Fata Reforms Bill on third day

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly (NA) proceedings on Wednesday were adjourned for the third consecutive day without execution of any business as the opposition continued its boycott over the failure of the government to table the Fata Reforms Bill.

The proceedings lasted for less than an hour during which leaders of the opposition parties criticised the government for using delaying tactics in passage of the Fata Reforms Bill.

They said that the boycott would continue till the bill is included in order of the day of the House.

As the proceedings began, only 34 members were present in the House including 16 parliamentarians sitting on the treasury benches. A majority of the ministers was also absent. Lack of quorum in the House was pointed out after opposition members staged a walkout against the government.

Shah G Gul Afridi, a Fata parliamentarian, pointed out the lack of quorum following the opposition members’ walkout. The protesting members also did not pay any heed to the speaker’s request to stay in the House as he said deliberations on the issue were being held.

Syed Naveed Qamar of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), on a point of order, said the opposition parties had taken a unanimous decision that they would continue to boycott the proceedings of the NA till the bill envisaging Fata reforms was moved in the House. He said the government was insulting parliament by not presenting the bill in the House.

Shaikh Rasheed Ahmad of the Awami Muslim League (AMA) regretted that the government was insulting the whole parliament only to please two political parties. “We strongly protest this attitude of the government,” he said.

He said the Fata members could tender en masse resignations if their demands regarding the Fata reforms, including merger of Fata with KP province and end of Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), are not met.

Talking about the threats of Daesh, Shaikh Rasheed said the government should take proper precautionary measures as ‘Daesh’ was shifting its activities near the border of Pakistan.