Those Desiring an Inactive Parliament Have Achieved Their Goal, Sarcastically Congratulates Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in National Assembly; Calls on Opposition to Rejoin Standing Committees and Electoral Reform Panels
ISLAMABAD: Those who wanted to keep the parliament paralysed have succeeded in their mission, though Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari made it clear that the opposition has been given credit for its pivotal role in that.
In a reply to the opposition leader in the National Assembly, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari indicated that he was prepared to cooperate to give strength to Parliament. The chairman of the PPP while accepting that the job of running the house effectively is primarily the responsibility of the government and treasury benches, stressed that the opposition also has an equally important role to play.
The main points of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s address in the National Assembly.
Criticism of Opposition’s Absence: Bilawal pointed out that the Opposition was an important player in achieving this goal, and congratulated those who wanted to see parliament rendered inactive for doing so. He advised legislators that it is a prime responsibility to represent their respective parties.
Call to Return to Standing Committees: Urging opposition members to resume their parliamentary duties, Bilawal requested them to return to standing committees. He specifically urged the opposition leader to use his powers related to electoral reforms committee and give names of the opposition members to the Speaker’s office.
Warning Against Election Rigging Controversies: Raising a cautionary note, Bilawal asked whether the opposition is planning to again create a stir about rigging in upcoming elections. He said that if members of the PTI are proactive in participating in the committee work, they could really contribute to empowering the parliament instead of skipping the parliamentary committees.