ISLAMABAD: Advisor to Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Babar Awan has dispelled the impression of withdrawing any legislation, saying that the legislation done in the Parliament was valid, lawful and constitutional and would not be withdrawn.
“All the bills have been passed as per law despite the efforts by the Opposition to derail the process,” he said while addressing a press conference along with State Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Farrukh Habib today (Friday).
The Advisor recalled that the Parliament of Pakistan passed 12 bills in one day and 21 legislative instruments the other day pending with different committees since two to three years.
“Three bills which have been passed are very important for the nation among which one is related to ensure safety and protection of women in response to the demand emerged after Motorway incident and the other is related to giving right of vote to the overseas Pakistanis,” he added.
Criticizing the Opposition for ‘non-parliamentary behavior’, the advisor said this was the first ever Opposition which has boycotted the office of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker and the parliamentary committees, closing the doors for dialogue.
“The Opposition has trampled the sanctity of the prestigious institution of Parliament which is meant for legislating for the downtrodden segments of society empowering them,” Babar Awan added.
Referring to e-voting, Babar Awan said that the government has always shown seriousness over bringing of transparency in election through using Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) however the Opposition parties, who want status quo to persist, are not in favour of EVM.
He said those who have managed thousands of fake votes in their constituencies are feared of their failure in case of transparent election. “The Opposition parties objecting and boycotting the bills neither read these bills nor suggested any single amendment,” he added.
He said the government will play its vibrant role in the committee to be formed for addressing the issues of violating ethics and parliamentary traditions in the Parliament and opposing legislation.
Babar Awan also said that the Opposition leader, instead of pursuing futile efforts for removal of the elected Prime Minister from his seat, should respect the sanctity of the Parliament and play constructive role.
