NA endorses emergency
By Asghar Ali Mubarak

ISLAMABAD—The National Assembly on Wednesday congratulated General Pervez Musharraf on his re-election as President of Pakistan on October 6, 2007.
The resolution was jointly moved by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afgan Niazi, Minister for Labour Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Minister for Law Zahid Hamid and Nawab Amanullah Khan,MNA.
The unanimously adopted resolution said that during the rule of President Musharraf Pakistan has been put on road to progress and prosperity and the House congratulates him on his election for second term as President of Pakistan. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday sought the opposition support for evolving consensus on national issues.“The opposition should come at a common platform on the national issues as it has an important role to play,” he said while speaking in the National Assembly here.
The Prime Minister also expressed a need to evolve national consensus to create a conducive atmosphere for coming general elections. “There is a need to create a peaceful atmosphere as the general elections are approaching,” he added. Regretting the absence of the opposition from today’s session, he said, “They should participate in the proceeding of the Assembly and express their point of view.”
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday sought the opposition support for evolving consensus on national issues. “The opposition should come at a common platform on the national issues as it has an important role to play,” he said while speaking in the National Assembly here.
The Prime Minister also expressed a need to evolve national consensus to create a conducive atmosphere for coming general elections.
“There is a need to create a peaceful atmosphere as the general elections are approaching,” he added. Regretting the absence of the opposition from today’s session, he said, “They should participate in the proceeding of the Assembly and express their point of view.”
Shaukat Aziz said, “We should keep national interest on top.” The Prime Minister acknowledged the role of Speaker, Ch. Amir Hussain and said, aptitude of the speaker helped strengthen the democratic system. Appreciating the performance of the House, he said, the legislation was carried out in a good manner and especially mentioned proceedings of budget session and appreciated the performance of the members.
Shaukat Aziz said it is for the first time in 60 years when the assemblies would complete their tenure. Parliament Wednesday endorsed the state of emergency declared in Pakistan by General President Musharraf, according to the media reports. According to the state TV channel, the President Musharraf was congratulated for getting elected the president. Earlier, the journalists were stopped from covering the meeting called under PCO; while PPP MNAs did not attend this meeting.
The National Assembly, which was formulated under the constitution, went for its proceedings under Provincial Constitutional Order (PCO), on Wednesday.
Neither the Speaker National Assembly Chaudhry Ameer Hussain, nor any other parliamentarian and federal minister diverted the attention of the House towards the legality of the session. This pertinent session of NA was unparallel in the entire political history of Pakistan, whereby a constitutional assembly was convened under
a PCO.