ISLAMABAD: The opposition staged a walkout from the Senate on Monday in protest against the promulgation of four ordinances by the president, including the one offering one-time amnesty scheme to whiten undeclared assets at home and abroad.

Raising the issue on a point of order during the first regular session presided over by newly elected Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, his predecessor Mian Raza Rabbani termed it a breach of both houses of parliament.

The PPP senator deplored that the ordinances had been promulgated hours before the two houses were scheduled to meet by the person who himself under Article 50 of the Constitution was part of parliament and had himself convened the sessions of the two houses. “It appears that an ordinance factory is being run in a building adjacent to parliament,” he remarked.

He said the president knew that both houses were about to meet and it was inappropriate for him to have promulgated these ordinances. He said Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had announced the scheme and concessions after a meeting of the Economic Advisory Committee which had merely been constituted through a notification and had no legal status.

Promulgation of four ordinances on economic reforms hours before session irks senators

Mr Rabbani regretted that such far-reaching reforms involving taxation had not been brought before parliament. Referring to the Supreme Court, he said the ordinance-issuing power could only be exercised after prior consideration by the federal cabinet. He asked the chair to refer the matter to the privileges committee.

Minister of State for Finance Rana Mohammad Afzal termed the point of order a misplaced one, saying the breach of privilege

took place only when a law was violated. He said an approval from the cabinet had been taken by way of circulation.

Mr Rabbani said the minister was throwing dust in the eyes of parliament and challenged him to produce a copy of the circular.

PTI’s parliamentary leader Azam Swati also criticised the promulgation of ordinances, terming the act an expression of blatant disregard of parliament.

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Sherry Rehman said the opposition was united in rejecting the ordinances as breach of privilege of both houses of parliament. “It is nothing but an instance of dacoity in the darkness of night. How long rights of the house will be trampled?”

The PPP senator asked the government to explain the reasons for the hasty decision taken weeks before the budget for the next fiscal year.

Jamaat-i-Islami emir Senator Sirajul Haq said the way the scheme to whiten black money had been launched was not appropriate. He was of the view that no ordinance should have been promulgated after summoning of sessions of the two houses of parliament.

He advised the government to avoid stubborn attitude over the wrong committed by it and said the “controversial ordinances” should be withdrawn.

After Mr Haq’s remarks, the position leader announced a walkout from the house which was also joined by other opposition parties.

Resolution

The Senate unanimously passed a resolution condemning the recent escalation of state-sponsored violence in Shopayan and Islamabad areas of India-held Kashmir in which scores of people were killed and injured by Indian soldiers and police.

“For decades, the people of Kashmir have suffered violent repression at the hands of the Indian army which commits unconscionable brutalities with full impunity from the state where thousands of innocent people have been brutally martyred, millions orphaned, widowed and mentally disabled.

“The Indian state’s deplorable actions range from shutting down schools, restricting movement of people, suspension of internet services to more heinous acts such as open firing, and the use of tear gas and pellets to subjugate the people of Kashmir,” the resolution said.

The house was of the opinion that such indiscriminate use of force was a violation of the most fundamental human rights which would only fuel further discontent and deterioration in the stability of an already volatile region. It observed that the danger of further escalation could only be thwarted if pressure was mounted to bring India to the negotiating table and find out a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir conflict.

The house assured that Pakistan would continue a robust diplomatic, political and moral support for the just cause of Kashmiri people. It also urged the international community, the Islamic world, the OIC, the United Nations, international human rights organisations and watchdogs to denounce the Indian state’s blatant violation of the UN charter and UN resolutions.

The house recommended to the government to appoint a special representative to raise the Kashmir issue at all international fora. The government was also asked to take all necessary steps to get appointed a special envoy of the United Nations for the Kashmir issue. The house will meet on Tuesday (today) at 3pm.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2018