ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Muslim League –Nawaz (PML-N), the main opposition party, on Monday warned the PPP-led incumbent government against inviting undemocratic forces in the country by its acts, hinting that free and fair polls were real solution of all the problems in present circumstances.
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on first private member day of 44th National Assembly session also witnessed opposition from its allied partner (ANP) about the recently introduced bill, in which, 25 per cent increase in pension of widows of Supreme Court (SC) and High Court judges was introduced.
Though the contempt of the court bill, 2012 soon after its passage has been challenged in the Supreme Court (SC), yet despite the instructions from chair a bit changed tone about judges by the members of treasury benches was also seen in the House.
The House on the private member day, taking up heavy business, introduced six bills of different natures, while longstanding ‘The Domestic Violence (Prevention And Protection) Bill, 2012’ was once again deferred to take up on the first private member day of the next session (45th session). The House also passed the amendments to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007.
Speaking on a point of order, PML-N senior leader Khwaja Saad Rafique came down hard on PPP government for bad governance and wrong treatment of the issue. “You are in the clutches of wrong advisors as you are heading towards confrontation,” he said, adding there should not be confrontation with judiciary.
Without giving direct reference of Contempt of Court Bill, he said prime minister could not be saved by this legislation and now the government should consider option of free and fair elections. “Don’t invite other forces in the country,” he cautioned.
Echoing almost the same remarks, PML-N senior leader Ayaz Amir said there was a need to think above party line as political crisis was lingering on. “Things are not going in normal direction and setting aside differences there is a dire need to ponder over the situation in the country,” he added.
Another PML-N leader Lt-Gen(r) Abdul Qadir Baloch also remarked that there was a dire need to settle down things in order to avoid any hostile situation to the democratic setup in the country.
Speaking on a point of order, ANP leader Bushra Gohar strongly opposed the recently introduced bill, in which, 25 per cent increase in pension of widows of judges of Supreme Court (SC) and High Court was introduced. “This country is running on suo moto,” she remarked, despite the clear instructions by chair not to discuss the conduct of judges.
ANP leader further demanded the chair to expunge remarks uttered against her leader, as it was unfair to speak against leader of any party.
A young PPP leader Noor Alam Khan, on point of order, asked that why cases against Punjab government was not being opened. “Only the cases of PPP are being taken up,” he said terming it a biased approach.
He also criticised that apex court had not shared details of funds with Public Accounts Committee (PAC) by saying that PAC cannot carry out the audit of apex judiciary.
Another ANP legislator Hamayat Ullah Khan also asked the chair to expunge remarks against his leader Bacha Khan. “Although they are loyal with Pakistan but they don’t accept Durand Line,” he added.
The House also passed the amendments to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007. The amendment was proposed by PPP legislator Yasmeen Rehman, which was adopted by the House.
Yasmeen Rehman said the main objective behind these amendments was strengthening the Election Commission and making it more powerful body of the country. In nine passed amendments, it was proposed that the words “Chief Election Commissioner” occurring twice, the words “Election Commission” shall be substituted.
Earlier, the six private members’ bills were introduced to the House without any opposition.
A PML-Q MNA Nosheen Saeed introduced a bill further to amend the Injured Persons (Medical Aid) Act, 2004 [The Injured Persons (Medical Aid) (Amendment) Bill, 2012] (Amendment in sections 2, 11, 12, 12A, 12B and 12C).
Dr Abdul Kadir Khanzada of the MQM introduced a bill to legislate the Curative Review (by the Supreme Court) [The Curative Jurisdiction (by the Supreme Court) Bill, 2012]. He said there should be a provision of curative review against any decision of the apex court even after the review appeal.
Nosheen Saeed also introduced a bill further to amend the Pakistan Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 [The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2012] (Insertion of new section 377A). She said the bill aimed at giving severe punishment to those criminals who raped or committed unnatural crimes against minors. 
Hamid Saeed Kazmi of the PPP introduced a bill further to amend the Defamation Ordinance, 2002 [The Defamation (Amendment) Bill, 2012] (Amendment of sections, 5, 5A, 5B, 6, 7, 8A, 9, 10, 12 and 12A). He said this bill is about grievances of those targeted by malicious and false propaganda. He said this would also help the media increase its credibility and bring an end to the blame game in politics.
Nosheen Saeed introduced another bill to amend the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organization) Act, 1996 [The Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organization) (Amendment) Bill, 2012] (Insertion of new sections 33F, 33G, 33H, 33I and 33J)
Naseer Bhutta of the PML-N introduced a bill further to amend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan [The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2012] (Amendment of Article 260).