Opposition Demands Production Orders for 6 'Missing' MNAsPakistan

Leader of the Opposition Mahmood Khan Achakzai also asked Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, who was chairing the session, to inform the house about the whereabouts of Sohail Afridi, the non-functional Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, who was reported to be in “protective custody”.

Mr Afridi and the six other opposition MNAs had reportedly been missing since the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in KP earlier this month. “At least we and the families of the missing chief minister and MNAs should know where they are,” Mr Achakzai was quoted as saying.

The adjournment motion, moved by Mr Dogar under Rules 109 and 110 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007, sought an urgent discussion on the reported detention of Mr Afridi, KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and the six MNAs.

The motion said the reported detention of elected representatives holding constitutional and parliamentary offices raised serious concerns about democratic institutions, the representation of the people, and the rights and privileges of elected representatives.

“This is a serious matter that warrants immediate discussion on the floor of the house,” the motion stated, urging the assembly to suspend its regular business to debate the circumstances surrounding the reported detentions and consider appropriate measures under its rules.

Mr Achakzai, who arrived late, sought the deputy speaker’s permission to speak while the house was conducting legislative business. Members were about to pass the third consecutive bill, the Centre of Excellence (Amendment) Bill, 2006, but it could not be passed. “You have attacked the parliament of a province and six to seven MNAs are missing,” the opposition leader told the deputy speaker, reiterating his demand for production orders for the missing lawmakers.

The session was later adjourned until Tuesday.

<h2>Ministers&#8217; absence</h2> Earlier, proceedings had begun at 5pm, but the absence of federal ministers and low attendance prompted PPP MNA Agha Rafiullah to criticise the government for what he called its lack of interest in legislation. &#8220;All the front rows are empty and not a single federal minister has turned up,&#8221; he said.

Mr Dogar endorsed Mr Rafiullah&#8217;s criticism, saying: &#8220;Rafiullah Sahib, that is what we have been saying for the last three years.&#8221;

Mr Dogar later pointed out the lack of quorum, prompting the deputy speaker to suspend proceedings and allow time for more members to arrive. A headcount confirmed that the house was not in order because of insufficient attendance, as at least 65 members are required to constitute a quorum.

Deputy Speaker Shah directed that the quorum be met before leaving for his chamber. It was learnt that some federal ministers were attending the simultaneous Senate session; after an interval of about an hour, a recount confirmed the quorum and proceedings resumed.