QUETTA: Balochistan Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution in support of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani for their efforts to strengthen democracy in the country.
Provincial Minister for Communication Ali Madad Jatak tabled the resolution. “The Balochistan Assembly reposes its trust in the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and fully supports their efforts to strengthen democracy. Bright future of Pakistan and welfare of the masses depends on smooth flourishing of democracy and democratic set-up. Only a constitutional government can guarantee strength of the federation, resolution of national issues and empowerment of the nation,” the resolution said. Ten out of 65 lawmakers, an overwhelming majority of whom were ministers, turned up to attend the scheduled session and unanimously passed the resolution.
Speaker Aslam Bhootani presided over the session. Ali Madad Jatak of the Pakistan Peaople’s Party (PPP), in his resolution, stated that future of Pakistan was linked with democracy and it was necessary that all institutions worked under the constitutional parameters without interfering in each other’s affairs.
Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) lawmaker Jaffar Mandokhel, while backing the resolution, said the lawmakers in Balochistan Assembly had become social workers instead of engaging in serious legislation. Underscoring lack of interest by the lawmakers, Mandokhel said the members had not been attending assembly sessions punctually. “Therefore, today you can see few lawmakers have turned up to attend the scheduled session. We, the legislators, are busy constructing gutter and nullah rather than doing legislation. Everyone raises issues while ignoring enacting laws needed to address those issues,” said Mandokhel.
Provincial Law Minister Begum Perveen Magsi also expressed her anger and said it was irresponsible that only a few lawmakers were present in the first proceeding of the second winter session. “Balochistan is facing serious crises in maintaining law and order and managing shortage of gas,” she added. Provincial ministers Ghulam Jam of Balochistan National Party-Awami (BNP-A), Ismail Gujjar, Ainullah Shams and Shahnwaz Marri backed the resolution.Minister for Health Ainullah Shams said the government should be given a chance to complete its five-year tenure as masses had elected it for that duration. – Dailytimes
