Speaker says present NA most politically-polarized legislature

Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has said that present National Assembly is most politically-polarized assembly in the history of Pakistan. He expressed these views while chatting with senior parliamentary reporters of various newspapers and news agencies at his chamber on Tuesday. When asked about the reasons of polarization and its solution, the speaker did not give satisfying answer; however, he said that a special committee has been constituted which represents all the parliamentary parties for smooth legislation in the House. He said that it is not only responsibility of the speaker but the government and opposition both have to play their role for making conducive environment for smooth business of the House.
He said that real responsibility of the Parliament is legislation for the welfare of the people.
"For this purpose, we need the support of media, opposition and government benches. I am custodian of the august House and will run it under the rules," the speaker said.
Answering a question, the speaker said that as many as 50 bills are under discussion of various standing committees of the National Assembly. He assured the journalists that more than 200 bills would be referred to the standing committees in this parliamentary year of the National Assembly.
He said that the organisation of parliamentary journalists would make discussion with the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) on the laws and legislation for journalists.
"We also make discussion with journalists for quality of legislation," he added.
The speaker said that a committee has been constituted which is looking into the old laws and would give recommendations for any amendment or change in the old laws. He said that the committee has prepared more than 200 drafts of legislation which would be introduced in the Upper House of the Parliament.
About Kashmir issue, Qaiser said that in this situation the most common agenda of the government and opposition is the issue of Kashmir. He said that the Parliament has to play an effective role on the issue of Kashmir.
He said that Indian military force is torching and brutally killing the Kashmiri people. He said that the Indian force is violating the basic human rights of the Kashmiri people. Indian forces have imposed curfew which has been continuing for one month. The educational institutions and hospitals have been closed from one month due to curfew in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). The lives of Kashmiri people have become miserable due to long days of curfew, he said.
He said that there would be a big question mark on the United Nation if it does not take any action against the brutalities of India forces and serious violation of human rights in the IOK.
The speaker said that a special committee on agricultural products headed by him held discussion with all stakeholders for improvement of agriculture sector as well as wellbeing of small farmers.