STALEMATE CONTINUES OVER 20th AMENDMENT BILL

ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan and the opposition on Tuesday failed to build consensus on 20^th Amendment bill.

Both parties could not agree upon the procedure for setting up a caretaker government once again. Earlier on Monday, deadlock persisted over the issue and the meeting was called off for today. Federal Ministers Naveed Qamar and Khursheed Shah along with Senator Raza Rabbani called upon the Opposition Leader in National Assembly Chuadhry Nisar Ali Khan. However they failed to build consensus on the issue. The meeting was also attended by Senator Ishaq Dar. Briefing the media representatives on proceedings of the meeting, Nisar said that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) had to get directions from the party chief Nawaz Sharif.

He, moreover, said that there was no change in his party’s stance on the issue. The opposition demanded that the caretaker government should be setup with consensus of all stakeholders. Nisar, however, hoped that ‘some progress’ would be achieved by tomorrow. He also said that the chief election commissioner could not be granted extension in his/her tenure according to the Constitution.

The PML-N leader showed his concerns over lack of consultation by the government on key issues. “Government does not consult us, it only informs,” he added. The meeting was adjourned to Wednesday.

GOVERNMENT RESPECTS SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN DECISIONS, SAYS REHMAN MALIK, INTERIOR MINISTER

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led coalition government respects the Supreme Court and is implementing its decisions in letter and spirit.

Talking to media representatives outside the Parliament House, he said “We are honouring and implementing the decisions of Supreme Court in letter and spirit.” The minister said there were reports indicating involvement of foreign hands in the prevailing situation of Balochistan. “Natural resources are in abundance in Balochistan and it is a conspiracy hatched by the anti-state elements to keep the situation disturbing there,” said the interior minister. Around 60 FC personnel have lost their lives while fighting against terrorism, he added.

He said investigation was underway to arrest killers of Bakhtiar Domki’s wife and daughter, adding his statement about the killing of 60 FC men in Balochistan should not be interlinked with killing of Domki’s family. Malik said Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Taliban have claimed responsibility of carrying out terrorist activities in the province. Commenting on negotiations with the opposition on 20th Amendment, he said that Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Khursheed Shah was holding talks with opposition parties to evolve consensus. He hoped that all the conflicting issues would be resolved through negotiations.

He said that the Federal Investigating Agency (FIA) was investigating the spurious drugs issue, which has taken several lives of innocent people in Punjab. He said Police, Rangers and FC were responsible for external security of the parliament and every person was searched thoroughly before entering the jurisdiction.