Islamabad: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) walked out of the National Assembly after the Special Economic Zones Ordinance was issued without the signatures of President Asif Ali Zardari, triggering a noticeable rise in political tension during the session.
During the National Assembly sitting, PPP lawmakers decided to leave the House in protest. PPP leader Naveed Qamar said that the primary responsibility of the House is legislation, but for the first time, the government had enforced an ordinance that the President had not approved.
He said that a law issued without presidential approval carries no constitutional or legal standing, and under such circumstances, the PPP could not continue to remain part of the proceedings, which is why they chose to stage a walkout.
On the other hand, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar addressed the House and said PPP members should listen to him, adding that the matter being discussed on social media had been brought to the government’s notice. He stated that the government makes it clear that it does not formally notify any ordinance until the president gives confirmation and endorsement.
Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari convened a meeting of the parliamentary party over the issuance of the Special Economic Zones Ordinance without the President’s signature. Sources said the party would consult its members on concerns related to constitutional procedure and process and would decide the next course of action after deliberations.
