Islamabad, Oct 2 (TNS): Opposituion parties on Monday lashed out at government’s move to pass Election Bill 2017.
Addressing the National Assembly, Awami Muslim League Chief Sheikh Rasheed had spoken against the bill.
“You are risking the country’s democracy over one person,” he said, adding “You have attacked the Supreme Court with a rocket launcher.”
Nawaz Sharif does not even want to see his brother Shehbaz Sharif as a party leader, he remarked.
“You can start digging the grave of democracy with your majority,” he said while referring to the PML-N parliamentarians.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Shah Mehmood Qureshi remarked that the clause 203 of the bill is against the spirit of the country’s Constitution.
The clause seeks to help an unqualified man to become the head of a party, he said, adding that Supreme Court had also disqualified the person.
“You [PML-N] have the majority and we are a minority. But, if you pass the bill then we will challenge it in the court. We want the clause 203 to be removed and Political Parties’ Order must be restored,” said Qureshi.
Responding to Qureshi, NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq asked him “Why didn’t you speak when you had the chance?”
PTI leader Shafqat Mahmood remarked that the party was deceived due to the way the bill was presented. He remarked: “Nawaz Sharif was bound to be disqualified because of his corrupt practices.”
He further said that the bill should be deferred as opposition won’t accept it.
On the other hand, Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah spoke about the difficulties being faced by ordinary citizens due to high prices of petrol.
Petrol prices across the world are reducing but not in Pakistan. “This is not a big issue but this is an issue which affects ordinary people,” he remarked, adding government is focusing on just creating difficulties for the normal people.
The petrol prices are $44 per barrel. Even after adding some taxes it should be no more than Rs66. However, the government is charging 31 percent sales tax. “Is it really necessary to charge 31 per cent tax? If you reduce the GST then the prices won’t increase,” he added.
“In all developing nations, governments introduce taxes on yearly basis. However, we get new taxes every month,” he claimed. “Budget should be presented four times in the NA,” he said, adding that last time budget was presented such a situation was created that opposition had no other option than to protest it.
“We have always given importance to this parliament. All problems can be solved in the parliament,” he added.
