ISLAMABAD: Just three weeks before the coalition government’s tenure comes to an end, the lawmakers in the National Assembly devoted most of their time to protest. They expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in the issuance of arms licenses and the uncooperative behavior of the bureaucracy, diverting attention from public issues.
Members, including allies in the ruling coalition, protested strongly, urging Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf to direct the interior secretary to issue arms licenses promptly to lawmakers who fulfilled all formalities.
Even Parliamentary Secretary for Interior Mohammad Sajjad, a member of the ruling PML-N, expressed frustration, as he couldn’t meet the interior minister or obtain the necessary signatures for his file.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif supported the lawmakers’ demand, emphasizing that the deteriorating security situation in the country warranted every citizen’s right to bear arms.
Mr. Asif criticized Punjab police for failing to improve law and order in the katcha area near the Sindh border. Despite a three-month operation, peace remains elusive as crime rates rise. He stressed citizens’ need for arms due to security concerns.
PPP’s Ghulam Mustafa Shah protested the absence of Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and officials from a committee meeting. He refrained from disrupting parliamentary proceedings but urged assurance from the government. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq confirmed Sanaullah’s availability in Islamabad today to address the matter.
Earlier, Minister for Education Rana Tanvir and other lawmakers expressed frustration with the uncooperative attitude of bureaucrats and criticized the speaker for failing to ensure their compliance with his directives.
In response, Mr. Ashraf, visibly angry, emphasized that the government held the responsibility to enforce his rulings. He directed the defense minister to act by suspending the secretary and appointing a new one if needed, asserting the government’s authority and writ.
