ISLAMABAD – Terming the repatriation of Dr Aafia a common cause, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Malik Amad Thursday assured the National Assembly that the government would fully defend her till the final hearing.

Winding up the discussion on Dr. Aafia’s conviction, he said that the evidence against her was very weak as both the witnesses gave contradicting statements. However, the lawyers had advised her not to give statement.

He welcomed the suggestion of Faisal Saleh Hayat for constituting a parliamentary delegation to US to pursue Obama and Hillary for the release of Dr Aafia.

Earlier, taking part in the discussion, Faisal said that he was the only one who asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for Aafia’s release if US wanted to improve its image in Pakistan.

Pervez Khan from ANP said that the House wants to know that who had handed over Aafia to America? He said that Aafia was not the only victim as Aymal Kansi was also handed over to US and hanged in 2002.

“Can I ask where was the then assembly? Did anyone raise the voice for him,” Pervez asked. He further quoted the incidents of Mukhtaran Mai and Dr Shazia Khalid who were raped in Pakistan and asked whether any FIR was registered against the culprits. “First do solve the issue of missing persons, then discuss Dr. Aafia,” the legislator added.

Zafar Baig Bithani said that if there were any charges against Aafia, she should have been tried in Pakistan.

Bushra Gohar said that Pakistani government itself had handed over her to US and now is providing legal aid.

Earlier, responding to a point of order raised in the National Assembly by Aftab Sherpao, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani directed the Interior Ministry to take immediate steps for rectification of faults in machines meant for making Machine Readable Passports.

Responding to a point of order by Faisal Saleh Hayat, Federal Minister Khursheed Shah said the issue of Rental Power Plants and the ADB report would be discussed in the current session of the House.

Marvi Memon, on the point of order, asked that how has the govt changed the composite dialogue negotiations position to accept India’s new format of negotiations which are limited and why is the Foreign Minister not sure that Kashmir comes first or water.

She said that Hussain Haqani was running a PR campaign for Asif Zardari from a firm situated in Blue Area.
MNA Noor Aalam Khan, however, criticised the Interior Ministry for neglecting the merit during recruitment on NWFP Police and said that a quota in the jobs was given to MPAs.
Responding to a call attention notice by Abdul Qadir Patel and other members, he said Balochistan maintains that fishing would be allowed within twelve nautical miles even on the license issued by Sindh but trawler fishing cannot be allowed.
The National Assembly also deferred the National Commission for Human Development (Amendment) Bill, 2010 for further consideration and amendments.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mehreen Anwer Raja moved a bill to amend the National Commission for Human Development Ordinance, 2002 as reported by the Standing Committee for consideration. However, PML-N leader Zahid Hamid opposed the bill and said that there were shortcomings in the bill and it could be further improved.

He said that the bill should be withdrawn for further consideration and recommendations.

The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs asked the Speaker to defer the amendment bill so that the recommendations of the opposition benches could be incorporated in it. Later Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi on the request of treasury and opposition benches deferred the bill.

SOURCE : Nation.com.pk

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