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NISAR AHMAD SHEIKH

ISLAMABAD: The boycotting mediamen ended their strike here on Sunday evening when the elderly politician Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan appeared in the press lounge before the start of the sitting and held out the assurance that the president has promised to talk to the prime minister about resolving the problems of the APP staffers who were forcibly retired or dismissed by the new management under the director generalship of Azhar Suhail.

He informed the mediamen that he had met the president on Sunday, and brought to his notice the grievances of the mediamen and handed him over the file containing all the relevant information as provided by the APP staffers and the action committee members.

In view of the assurance given by the president "I appeal to the pressmen to end their strike but a final decision in this regard rested with the journalists".

Later, on the floor of the house, he informed the speaker that he had informed the journalists of his meeting with the president and "I had requested them to end their boycott. The president had promised to talk to the prime minister and the issue will be resolved in a positive manner.

In the meantime, the mediamen, after consultation, decided that in difference to the visit of the veteran politician and assurances conveyed by him, it would be a good gesture if they returned to the house. If the issue is not resolved, certain options are available to the press to continue their protest.

As the journalists entered the press gallery, Speaker Yusuf Raza Gilani welcomed them on their return.

The question hour began with a question as old as months about the free travelling facility or travelling facilities provided by PIA on half concessional tickets during the last one year. The answer given by the defence minister was a repetition that the requisites information is being collected and will be submitted as soon as possible.

This created some heat in the proceedings. Gohar Ayub Khan remarked why not tomorrow. This is the age of computers. The required information is available at just the push of a button.

Muzaffar Ahmad Hashmi said that he has repeatedly received the same answer. It is the height of inefficiency. Adding to it, Gohar Ayub Khan said isn't it an endeavour to hide the names of certain personalities who benefited at the cost of the public exchequer. The question has been pending for the last many months. It is incumbent upon the government and the ministry concerned to answer the question within the stipulated period of fourteen days. This shows how incompetent and inefficient the ministry is and also is indicative of its ulterior motives.

Immediately afterwards, the defence minister provided the answer to another question and on the very next question he could not provide the answer and this was the case with most of other questions tabled on Sunday.

The speaker observed that the ministers should be prompt in providing the answers in future. This warning has been made time and again.

Another issue which generated some heat was the restoration of women's seats in the assemblies with special reference to the recently-held conference of Muslim women parliamentarians. Syed Abbas Shah asked why the only woman opposition member from the national assembly was not invited to the conference? The law minister said that the speaker is more competent to answer the question.

Mian Raza Rabbani, explaining the position said that the delegations to the conferences comprised three members and hence the Pakistan delegation also comprised three members, one each from the national assembly, the senate and the provincial assembly of NWFP. Begum Nasim Wali Khan represented the opposition.

Our firend from Gujrat, Nawabzada Ghazanfar Gul asked: are women not represented through us? Do you want that the women should not be given representation? enquired the speaker from the Nawabzada. "It is a separate issue. I am representing the women. They voted for me and if they did not vote for you then it is a matter for you to consider," said Ghazanfar Gul. It is your personal opinion, the speaker remarked. He, however, said if there is a consensus on the restoration of women's seat, the opposition and the government sides should sit and decide about the modalities. It is encouraging that both sides agree on the restoration of women's seats in the assemblies.

Deputy Leader of the opposition, however, ruled out a constitutional amendment relating to restoration of women's seats alone. We are for restoration of women's seats but it has to be part and parcel of a total constitutional package as well as the creation of a conducive atmosphere which, unfortunately, is not existing at the moment.

Another issue of interest was the privilage motion of Sh. Tahir Rashid, who according to medical experts of Nishtar College of Medicine is suffering from heart trouble as well as backbone disease. The house expected to have fireworks on the motion as some 41 opposition members had moved the motion. The interior minister acting wisely did not oppose the motion.

The speaker observed: "I have personally seen the member in Multan jail and I think it is proper that the motion be referred to privileges committee."

The house witnessed some uproarious scenes when the opposition raised the question of promulgation and repromulgation of ordinances. The treasury benches created a lot of noise in order to prevent Gohar Ayub from presenting the view point of the opposition on the issue. The speaker was however of the view that some new points could be made and the house must listen to them. With great difficulty he persuaded the treasury benches to remain calm. Had they known and remembered the earlier ruling of the speaker on the subject, the treasury benches would have listened to the deputy leader of the opposition in a calm atmosphere.