ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Mehmood Khan Achakzai on Monday demanded on the floor of the House that details about Sohail Afridi’s whereabouts be shared.
Afridi, who has become non-functional as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, has not been seen since the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency in his province on Oct 11. His whereabouts remained unknown on the day governor’s rule was imposed and federal minister said a day later that he and some of his cabinet members are in preventative custody.
The PTI has also alleged the detention and arrests of several of its other members, including lawmakers and ministers.
“Afridi and six to seven other MNAs of the opposition party are missing since the proclamation of emergency and governor’s rule in KP. At least we and their families should know where they are,” Achakzai said, after he reached the NA some time after the session began.
Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah was presiding over the proceedings and was asked by Achakzai to give him the floor.
Continuing his criticism of governor’s rule, Achakzai said, “You have attacked the assembly of a province”. He called for the issuance of production orders for missing MNAs.
The chief whip of the opposition in the NA, MNA Amir Dogar, also submitted an adjournment motion in the House, seeking production order for six “missing” PTI MNAs: Amjad Ali Khan (NA-02), Junaid Akbar (NA-09), Fazal Muhammad Khan (NA-25), Zubair Khan (NA-42), Haji Imtiaz Ahmad Choudhry (NA-68) and Nasim Ali Shah (NA-39).
The adjournment motion referred to Rule 109, read with Rule 110, of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007. The motion termed the reported detention of Afridi, Swati, and the six MNAs “a matter of definite and urgent public importance”.
The motion said the reported detention of elected representatives holding constitutional and parliamentary offices raised serious concerns regarding the functioning of democratic institutions, the representation of the people, and the protection of the rights and privileges of elected representatives under the Constitution and applicable laws.
“This is a serious matter that warrants immediate discussion on the floor of the house,” the motion stated, requesting that the regular business of the House be adjourned to discuss the matter urgently.
It also requested the House to deliberate on the circumstances surrounding the said detentions and consider “appropriate measures” in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007.
The NA proceedings began at 5pm, with federal ministers absent other members in low attendance. Consequently, PPP MNA Agha Rafiullah criticised the government for what he described as a lack of interest in legislation.
“You see all the front rows are empty, and not a single federal minister has turned up,” he said.
Dogar supported Rafiullah’s criticism, saying, “Rafiullah sahib, that is what we have been saying for the last three years.”
Later, Dogar pointed out the lack of quorum, and owing to the low attendance of MNAs, the deputy speaker stopped the proceedings to allow some more time for the House to be put in order.
At least 65 members are required to put the House in order or meet the quorum.
Eventually, the quorum was found complete after two counts and the proceedings resumed.
The proceedings have been adjourned until Tuesday morning.