NSC not to affect supremacy of parliament: Rashid

04 Apr, 2004

Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Saturday said National Security Council (NSC) will not affect the supremacy of parliament.
Talking to ARY television, the minister said that the members of NSC will ensure proper implementation of the formula of good governance.
He said, chief ministers of provinces, three services chiefs, opposition leader, Prime Minister and speaker will be the members of NSC.
The minister said the ARD had decided to oppose the NSC Bill but Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) had agreed on the same bill, but now it is opposing it.
The minister said the discussion on NSC bill would be held on Monday and after that the strategy of the opposition would become clear. He said the time for adoption of the bill will depend on opposition's attitude.
If the opposition opposes the bill in the first or second reading, then time will have to be given to them for discussion which would take a few days to pass the bill.
The bill will be passed earlier if the opposition decides to continue boycott the proceedings. Simple majority is required to pass the bill, he added.
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said passage of National Security Council (NSC) bill in the parliament will complete the last phase of democracy in the country.
Talking to newsmen here, the minister said democracy in the country is in the last phase of its completion.
Democracy is working well and the parliament will adopt the NSC bill with majority, he added.
The minister said there was no outside interference in internal affairs of Pakistan and every decision was made inside the country.
Earlier speaking at a religious gathering at Eidgah Sharif, the minister said every Muslim has the responsibility to strengthen Pakistan, as it is a castle of Islam.
He said Muslims were passing through a critical phase of their history and should stay united in the face of difficult circumstances.

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