NA sets aside day’s agenda to allow general debate

On Tuesday, the National Assembly (NA) of Pakistan set aside its scheduled agenda to allow for a general debate among Members of Provincial Assembly (MNAs). The debate covered a wide range of issues, including the eradication of terrorism, protection of the agriculture sector, an end to power load shedding, withdrawal or continuation of the emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), reduction in petrol prices, better healthcare facilities, promotion of exports, and the proposed relocation of Pakistan Petroleum Limited's headquarters from Karachi to Islamabad.

During the debate, PPP MNAs Naveed Qamar, Dr Nafisa Shah, and Sharmila Faruqui raised concerns about the proposed relocation of PPL's headquarters. They argued that the move would diminish the significance of Karachi, Pakistan's commercial hub. In response, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez Malik defended the decision, stating that it was made by the PPL board and would not affect the city's importance.

MNAs from Punjab expressed their discontent over the rising costs of DAP fertiliser, urea, and agricultural machinery, attributing these increases to the government's Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS). They also criticized the government for banning the movement of urea in Sindh and KP, causing difficulties for farmers and threatening agricultural production.

PPP MNA Asma Arbab Alamgir supported the imposition of emergency in KP, claiming that the province's people had endorsed the move. She accused the PTI government of failing to develop KP during its 13 years in power and alleged that the province was influenced by 'links with the Taliban' in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, PTI MNA Ali Muhammad Khan criticized the emergency measure and demanded the release of the province's non-functional chief minister and other party leaders allegedly in 'protective custody'.