Summary A session of Senate was held with chairman Nayyer Bukhari in chair.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) members held a protest outside parliament against the arrests of party workers in Karachi while the opposition members staged a token walkout from Senate against government s silence over Imran Khan’s remarks.
A session of Senate was held with chairman Nayyer Hussain Bukhari in chair on Thursday.
Opposition leader in Senate Raza Rabbani said an explanation from government was still not given over the statement of PTI chief saying that there were only 40 percent chances of success of an operation.
He said around 35 terrorist attacks have been reported following the peace talks with Taliban, adding that over 120 people have been martyred in different bomb attacks.
Later, the opposition members staged a symbolic walkout over the remarks of Imran Khan.
Meanwhile, Aitzaz Ahsan said government was seen completely paralyzed, saying that the attacks continued despite government’s talks with the Taliban.
Leader of the House in the Senate Raja Zafarul Haq says there is national consensus to seriously take forward the dialogue process to root-out terrorism from the country.
Responding to the points of order raised by Leader of the Opposition Aitzaz Ahsan and others in the house on Thursday‚ he said that some foreign elements want to sabotage the dialogue process.
He said there are also reports that a neighbouring country has spread its network in the country and providing arms and finances to different elements to destabilize the country.
He said the government is alive to the situation to foil these nefarious designs.
About the threats received by different parliamentarians‚ the Leader of the House said that he will raise this issue with the Ministry of Interior so that security could be ensured to the parliamentarians.
The Senate also began discussion on a motion regarding privatization policy of the government.
Commencing the debate‚ Mian Raza Rabbani described the government’s privatization policy as anti-worker. He said the government should enhance its tax-net by imposing tax on affluent class and the money generated from it should be spent to transform the state-owned enterprises into profitable entities.
Jaffar Iqbal said the loss making institutions are a burden on the national exchequer and the present government decision to privatize them is a step in right direction.
Saeed Ghani said the private sector‚ instead of purchasing stated owned entities‚ should be encouraged to establish their own institutions.
Talha Mehmoud appreciated the government for making top level appointments in public sector organizations on the basis of merit.
Nasreen Jalil supported the privatization policy of the government but said rights of employees should be protected in the process besides ensuring transparency.
The session was adjourned till 11AM tomorrow after which MQM members staged a protest against the arrests of party workers. The MQM leaders also chanted slogans.
