PM takes pride in sacked officials re-employment

Islamabad—Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has taken pride in Reinstatement of Sacked Employees Bill passed by the National Assembly on Wednesday and said that provision of employment to people was a noble cause and the government would continue to pursue this mission.Responding to points raised by members about the Bill, the Prime Minister said this was part of the manifesto of the PPP and he was glad that it was being implemented successfully.The Prime Minister said he announced reinstatement of the sacked employees on the very first day and the federal cabinet, which had representation from PML-N also had endorsed his vision. He thanked coalition parties for extending support on the issue.He recalled that he was jailed for five years on the charge of providing employment to people.The Prime Minister said the Charter of Democracy signed by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has been implemented eighty per cent.Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday said the Sacked Employees (Reinstatement) Bill was passed by the National Assembly in violation of the understanding reached with the opposition.Rising on a point of order, Chaudhry Nisar said this was a highly contentious bill which violated Articles 4, 25, 175 and 212 of the constitution and judgements of the courts.
He announced that in protest the opposition PML-N would completely boycott the current session and consider other options for the next session.Responding to the point of order, the PPP’s Syed Khurshid Shah said the bill was cleared by the standing committee unanimously and the opposition did not submit amendments.He pointed out that the bill was aimed at providing relief to employees who were victimised and this would benefit 9,000 families.
Zahid Hamid of the PML-N said, the bill is violation of the constitution and fundamental principles of independence of judiciary.The National Assembly continued discussion on adjournment motions regarding incursion of ISAF forces into Pakistan resulting in the loss of thirty-five lives.The members said the attacks were on sovereignty of Pakistan and NATO forces were violating international law. They said all this was happening because of wrong policies of the past and efforts aimed at undermining the democratic process. They appreciated the response of the government to provocations by NATO but wanted it to formulate an exit strategy from war on terror.Those who participated in the debate included Imrana Saeed, Sardar Bahadar Khan Seher, Muhammad Usman Khan Advocate and Sajid Ahmad.The House will meet again today (Friday) at ten am – Pakobserver – Pakobserver