Federal minister proposes joint parliamentary committee for consensus on Army Act, economic policies

• The federal minister says state institutions should not indulge in fight for power.
• Fawad proposes  establishment of a joint parliamentary committee for consensus on amendment in the Army Act and on economic policies.
• Minister says opposition's role should be recognised. Without them, a wider consensus regarding institutions can not be achieved.

(Karachi) Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry proposed the establishment of a joint parliamentary committee so consensus can be formed on the issues of amendment in the Army Act and on the country's economic policies.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Sunday, the federal minister said the state institutions should not indulge in fight for power. He added that the army chief’s tenure extension matter was politicised.

He said the army chief always spoke of democracy and strengthening the civil institutions.

He said that there is a need to bring a ‘new deal’ to revamp our institutions.  He said it is essential to initiate a dialogue for balance of power and to strengthen the institutions.

Fawad Chaudhry maintained, “We won’t be able to bring changes in the institutions without consultation with the opposition parties.” He said that the government wants to devise economic policies with the support of the opposition.

"There is no doubt that the opposition's role should be recognised. Without them, a wider consensus regarding institutions can not be achieved," he said.

He said the prime minister wants that all institutions should respect each other.

The minister said that student unions are active in different countries around the world. He mentioned the government does not intend to completely ban student unions in the country. He said the unions should not become a hub of criminal activities.

"Pakistan was formed due to student union activities. When the Muslim Student Federation was established in Aligarh University, and later on in Islamia College, the entire movement for Pakistan was run by students."

The minister said that he knows the prime minister "closely" and does not aim to "make political statements", but that prime minister does have the people's best interests at heart.

"I know for a fact that his heart beats with the people. He wishes to make a new Pakistan. He has no personal agenda, he doesn't want to amass wealth and is not interested in power. He actually wishes to bring change.

He said Pakistan is planning to take the lead in introducing battery-powered electric buses among the Asian countries.

The federal minister also apprised media persons regarding the massive increase of up to 600% in the budget of science and technology.