Joint Opposition Stages Walkout in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly

Strategic Insights -

The Joint Opposition in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly staged a walkout on Friday against a resolution moved by the government in favor of former Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Justice Deedar Hussain Shah. The opposition was also not allowed to hold a debate on the "much important" issues, including the Thursday's drone attack in North Waziristan and the release of Raymond Davis. The resolution, which condemned the petition filed by Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan against the appointment of Justice Deedar Hussain Shah as Chairman NAB, was passed by a majority vote. The opposition members strongly protested, with Leader of the Opposition Muhammad Akram Khan Durrani stating that the drone attack killed more than 80 people and the acquittal of Raymond Davis had damaged national pride and honor.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Joint Opposition in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly staged a walkout on Friday against a resolution moved by the government in favor of former Chairman NAB Justice Deedar Hussain Shah.
  • The resolution, which condemned the petition filed by Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, was passed by a majority vote, with only three votes against it.
  • The opposition members protested the lack of debate on the drone attack in North Waziristan and the release of Raymond Davis.
  • Leader of the Opposition Muhammad Akram Khan Durrani stated that the drone attack killed more than 80 people and the acquittal of Raymond Davis had damaged national pride and honor.
  • The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2011 was presented in the House, while the North West Frontier Province Value Added Tax Bill, 2010 was withdrawn.
  • A resolution was unanimously passed, demanding the federal government and Higher Education Commission establish a center of excellence in energy at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar.

Statistics:

  • More than 80 people were killed in the US drone attack in North Waziristan.
  • 40 people were reportedly killed in the drone attack, but the actual death toll was higher, according to Leader of the Opposition Muhammad Akram Khan Durrani.
  • The acquittal of Raymond Davis cost Pakistan Rs 200 million.
  • The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly consisted of 124 members, with 61 voting in favor of the resolution and three voting against it.

Sources:

  • "PESHAWAR: Joint Opposition in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Friday staged walkout..." (News source not specified in the original text)
  • "The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2011 was presented in the House..." (News source not specified in the original text)
  • "A resolution was unanimously passed, demanding the federal government and Higher Education Commission establish a center of excellence in energy at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar..." (News source not specified in the original text)