Govt, opposition agree to form special committee to probe rigging in polls

ISLAMABAD: The government and opposition parties on Tuesday agreed on the formation of a special committee to probe rigging allegations during the July 25 polls and a resolution was passed in the National Assembly in this regard.

NA Speaker Asad Qaiser chaired a session which was attended by Prime Minister Imran Khan, federal cabinet members and leaders of opposition parties.

Equal representation for govt, opposition in committee: Qureshi

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan presented the resolution for the formation of a special committee to probe rigging in the 2018 General Election. The resolution was then passed by the NA.

Taking to the floor, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the government and opposition have agreed on the formation of a special committee to probe allegations.

"Government and opposition will have equal representation in the committee," he assured.

Qureshi further said that the committee chairman will be announced by the government after consultation with PM Imran. "The committee will comprise NA members and will not include any senator," he added.

Qureshi presents resolution for formation of investigative commission

Earlier, FM Qureshi presented a resolution for the formation of an investigation commission to probe rigging allegations.

The resolution called for the formation of a parliamentary committee which comprised government and opposition members.

The committee will prepare terms of reference (TORs) for investigation and present recommendations for measures to ensure rigging is curbed during next polls.

PPP, PML-N demand committee be chaired by opposition leader 

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Shazia Marri took to the floor and recommended that the government and opposition should have equal representation in the committee.

"The leader of the opposition in NA should chair the committee to ensure the probe is transparent," she added.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khurram Dastgir echoed similar sentiments and demanded that leader of the opposition in NA be made head of the committee.

In response, FM Qureshi said, "We do not want to keep anything hidden. It is the opposition's right to protest and their reservations have been registered."

Asking the leader of the opposition in NA to present his viewpoint, Qureshi said, "Transparent elections are essential for democracy." Further, he assured that the commission will be empowered. 

"We have to move forward despite our differences," he asserted.

Following the same demand from PPP and PML-N, the NA speaker said, "Whichever committee I form, it will be in accordance with rules."

PM Imran addresses NA

Prime Minister Imran Khan while taking to the floor ought recommendations from parliamentarians over the government's proposal to grant citizenship to all Afghan and Bengali children born in the country.

The premier said, "A final decision has not yet been made in this regard and the proposal is up for discussion."

"Everyone should present their recommendations," he said while adding that the government will seek recommendations from all parliamentarians and consult them before taking a decision.

"Children born in Pakistan have the right to be called Pakistani," the premier asserted. "Several people have been living in Karachi for decades without any nationality," he lamented.

"Immigrants are also humans," PM Imran said. "If we do not take a decision regarding immigrants then we will have to face severe problems."

Finance Minister presents amendments for federal budget 2018-19

Finance Minister Asad Umar presented proposed amendments for the federal budget 2018-19.

As he began his speech, Umar recalled that the fiscal deficit in FY18 amounted to 6.6 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) even though the target was set at 4.1 per cent.

"The country stands at the same place where it was after five years," the finance minister lamented, adding that the fiscal deficit might reach to 7.2 per cent [Rs2,900 billion] in FY19.

Umar also recalled that the current account deficit increased from 2.5 billion dollars in 2012-13 to 18 billion dollars in FY18.

Major points

1. Govt withdraws decision to increase petroleum development levy

2. Rs5 billion relief provided to export industry

3. Minimum pension

4. Duty on expensive mobile phones to be increased

5. Duty on 1800cc and above vehicles set at 20 per cent

6. Non-filer tax rate increased by 0.6 per cent 0.4 per cent

7. Health card system will be introduced across Pakistan