Government blocks committee against journalists’ ordeal
ISLAMABAD, May 06, 2005: Instructed by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, the government on May 5 withdrew a motion to form a special committee to investigate the manhandling of journalists by police on May 3.
Dr Sher Afgan Niazi, the parliamentary affairs minister, told the National Assembly that the leader of the house (the prime minister) had directed the treasury benches to withdraw support the committee.
The committee was to be formed by Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain after the house passed a unanimous resolution on May 3 demanding probe into the manhandling and the arrest of the journalists.
The parliamentary affairs minister claimed that the government was withdrawing the motion because the journalists had breached the privilege of parliament. Opposition parties condemned the government’s decision to withdraw the motion, saying a unanimous resolution could not be withdrawn by a simple majority.
The speaker was also surprise by the government’s move. He said that he should have been informed by the government before withdrawing the motion. According to some opposition members, the speaker accepted the withdrawal saying it was within the ambit of NA rules.
Source: Daily Times
Date:5/6/2005
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