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Gilani leads small group to block NRO’s passage to parliament

* Babar Awan, Rehman Malik, Fauzia Wahab, Afzal Sindhu, Mehreen Raja wanted document in parliament

By Zulfiqar Ghuman

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani led a small group of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) lawmakers on Monday to outwit pro-NRO aides of President Asif Zardari – who, in the final analysis, agreed not to take the NRO to parliament for legislation, and silenced the voice of the majority “in the interest of democracy and the political system”.

Supported by Syed Khursheed Shah and Mian Raza Rabbani, the prime minister – who had already consulted coalition partners – explained the developing political situation to the president, who decided to leave the matter to the judiciary instead of seeking an endorsement from parliament. Sources privy to the Monday night meeting – which was held at the Presidency to discuss the NRO – told Daily Times that the participants were clearly divided into two groups. “Gilani, Khursheed Shah and Raza Rabbani were on one side, while Babar Awan, Rehman Malik, Fauzia Wahab, Afzal Sindhu and Mehreen Raja were on the other side,” said the sources.

They said Awan, Malik, Fauzia, Sindhu and Mehreen insisted that the NRO be brought to parliament for legislation, but the prime minister was of the view that all political parties – including government allies – were not ready to vote for the NRO. “So we should not take it to parliament.” Rabbani, who appeared to be agitated by the insistence of the pro-NRO group, clearly said, “I will not go against my conscience.”

Khursheed Shah said Rabbani was right, and endorsed the prime minister’s view that the issue would become a campaign against the government. “We should not ignore the fact that despite its passage by parliament, the Supreme Court could strike it down … this will not only be an insult to parliament, but will equally be an insult to the government,” the sources quoted Rabbani as saying. He agreed to let courts decide the cases of those likely to be affected if the NRO ceased to be a law.

Awan said the NRO should be brought to parliament for passage as amended by the standing committee. Fauzia said, “Since we have already taken a position on this issue, we should not bow to any pressure. What will the people say about us?”

The sources said Malik also backed this view. After listening to the views of the participants, the president decided not to bring the NRO to parliament.

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