ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) parliamentary leader Faisal Saleh Hayat on Wednesday urged opposition parties to stage a protest and sit-in outside the US embassy in favour of Dr
Aafia Siddiqui.

Taking part in a discussion on an adjournment motion regarding the bomb blast at the Special Investigation Building in Lahore, Faisal criticised both the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) for only targeting the Musharraf-era’s policy. He said both parties had failed to bring any positive change in the country despite a lapse of two years. They did not waste any opportunity for criticising General (r) Musharraf and his party, but despite the mandate given by the people in the 2008 elections, not a single policy of Musharraf has been changed,
he claimed.

Speaking on the floor of the House, Faisal said the PML-N should play its role as a major opposition party to press the government for change. He suggested the opposition leader to lead a rally and a sit-in in front of the US embassy against the detention of Dr Aafia. He said no one from the opposition or the treasury discussed the issues of Dr Aafia and drone attacks with US Secretary of States Hillary Clinton during her visit
to Pakistan.

Policy: Faisal also criticised the PPP’s policy on terrorism, due to which “violence is increasing and people are denied basic facilities”. He pointed out that the deteriorating law and order had been adversely affecting the country’s economy and marring the prospects for investment. He said the government should evolve an integrated policy to tackle terrorism with the support of the masses.

Faisal also targeted the PML-N law minister for supporting banned religious outfits. He urged the major political parties not to play politics for their vested interests, rather resolve the problems of the masses.

He also asked the PPP and the PML-N to implement the Charter of Democracy (CoD), adding that his party would fully support them in this regard.

The newly appointed adviser to the prime minister Nawabzada Ghazanfar Gul defended the PPP policy and said the PML-Q leader had himself supported a dictator by betraying a political party in 2002. Responding to a calling attention notice, State Minister for Finance Hina Rabbani Khar admitted that customs officials at the Quetta Airport had cleared hundreds of thousands of cell phones without receiving duty/custom. She said an inquiry was being conducted and FIRs had been lodged against as many as 14 companies in this regard. She said four customs officials had also been suspended.

SOURCE : Dailytimes.com.pk

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