The senate members have severely protest on approval of most favored nation
(MFN) status to India without taking into confidence to the parliament,
political parties, Kashmiri leaders and business community, members
showing reservations said that the decision of cabinet would leave
devastating impact son the politics and economy of the country.
Members of upper house said that federal government and allied party
would be responsible for the consequences of the decision. The senate
members also declare the two days off in a week as against the interest
of country and demanded of government to reverse this decision as well.
Senator Ilyas Ahmad Bilour on point of order said that he had submit a
notice to highlight the issue of two days weekly off, so it should be
informed to the house that how much electricity was saved from two days
off and how much the economy is being effect.
He said that five to six thousand megawatt electricity is used in air
conditions and bureaucracy is enjoying the facilities, adding that
country can not progress by these holidays and that notice had not come
on agenda.
The leader of the house Nayyar Hussain Bukhari said that this matter would be discussed in the presence of concerned minister.
Leader of PML-Q Senator Wasim Sajjad said that the holidays in the
countries increased by keeping in mind the resources and circumstances
of the country, adding that there is no space for holidays especially in
the field of agriculture and works in the field of agriculture is
continue for the whole year.
He said that in Great Britain they do not announce any holiday on the
death and birthday of their national heroes and our country is very
rich in the matter of holidays, adding that the Eid holidays would be
observed from four to thirteen November; meanwhile he said that the
country and economy would not afford as much holidays.
He said that we should adopt the saying of Quaid-a-Azam work, work
and work and let the children to learn, officer to work and industry to
run.
Senator Azam Swati said that the economically country is destroying
and we should not do politics on economy, adding that the people should
come on roads against the government.
Jamaat-e-Islami senator professor Khurshid Ahmad said that the
situation of country regarding governance and economy is very critical,
adding that masses facing lot of problems and public issues pending. In
current circumstances there is no need of two holidays in a weak.
He said due to one holiday the economy is facing loss of 20 to 25
billions rupees, adding that the holidays would damage the already
damaged economy of the country and the public problems would increase
due to holidays.
He said that granting MFN status to India would leave damaging impact
on the politics and economy of the country, adding we cannot keep
separate the political and economic issues with India.
He said that the important issues were the non-tariff barriers from
Indian side, adding the MFN status has been granted on US pressure;
meanwhile he said that federal cabinet and coalition partners of
government would be responsible for granting MFN status to India.
Presiding Officer, Syed Tahir Khan Mashhadi deferred the question
hour due to the absence of the concerned Ministers in the House and said
the ministers have flouted the democratic norms and brought unnecessary
criticism to the government by not making their presence in the House.
He noted the members put in great effort to prepare questions, which
needs to be answered. The Presiding Officer hoped that the ministers
will ensure their presence in future and respond to the queries of the
members.
Chief Whip Islamuddin Sheikh said the entire Cabinet is answerable to the House and presence of concerned ministers in future sessions will be ensured. He said some of the ministers could not attend the session as they have gone to perform Hajj. He said the government has great reverence for the House and he will also request the Prime Minister to also attend the sessions of the Upper House. SANA
Chief Whip Islamuddin Sheikh said the entire Cabinet is answerable to the House and presence of concerned ministers in future sessions will be ensured. He said some of the ministers could not attend the session as they have gone to perform Hajj. He said the government has great reverence for the House and he will also request the Prime Minister to also attend the sessions of the Upper House. SANA
