ISLAMABAD - A treasury benches lawmaker from PkMAP Mehmood Khan Achakzai Thursday suggested in the National Assembly to immediately convene a join session of parliament or All Parties Conference (APC) to evolve a strategy for strengthening democracy in the country.
“There is a need to make a front for democracy, which gives a strong message against those who dare cast an evil eye on our homeland,” said Achakzai, speaking on his turn on budgetary proposal 2014-15.
The PkMAP chief, during brief presence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the House on Thursday, stressed to save democracy in the country by taking immediate measures. “Both the Sharifs be on one page...if both of them ignore it God forbid the country will not survive,” Achakzai cautioned Army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Achakzai also challenged the house that he had not taken any favor or bribe from government. “I would immediately resign if some one proves me guilty,” he added. He also responded to a lawmaker who shouted ‘Governor -Governor’. “Muhammad Khan Achakzai is a right and competent person,” he defended.
He further asked PTI chief Imran Khan to make efforts for good governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rather tahn wasting energy in protest sit-ins.
Earlier, the house witnessed rumpus when PML-N lawmaker Mian Abdul Mannan came down hard on PTI lawmakers on their criticism on budget. He said foreign exchange reserves and industry growth are clear signs of development in the country.
Taking the floor, PPP lawmaker Shazia Marri circulated a budgetary proposal in a sarcastic way. She also brought onion and tomato with her, saying that poor man of the country has not enough resources to buy even these vegetables.
“Though the government has made tall claims of austerity measures but it spends huge money on PM House’s physical asset and purchase of six dogs,” she said adding that salaries of government servants should be increased.
PTI’s lawmaker Aaisha Gulalai, PPP’s Abdul Sattar Bachani, of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf , MQM Asif Hasnain JI’s Sahibzada Tariqullah and other opposition lawmakers strongly criticized government’s proposals in this budget. While, Parveen Masood Bhatti, Marvi Memon and others spoke in favor of budgetary proposals.
Interestingly, the lawmakers from both sides of the aisle did not utter a single word on fresh drone in Miran Shah.