 The opposition in Pakistan's Parliament yesterday denounced Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad's statement a day earlier identifying nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan as the man who supplied centrifuges to Iran. The minister's statement was highly irresponsible, opposition members said in the National Assembly and walked out.
| They walk out every day over something or other... |
The lawmakers said the minister's remarks could create problems for the nation. They called for a debate on the matter, but National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Ameer Hussain rejected the request. Dozens of angry lawmakers continued shouting over the speaker's objection, then walked out.
"That does it! We're leaving and you can't stop us!"
"Sergeant-at-arms! Get their coats for them!" |
Qazi Hussain Ahmad, the leader of the Islamic political alliance, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, said Sheikh Rashid's remarks were "highly irresponsible." "This is a very serious and sensitive matter and the house should hold a debate on it," he said. "Once again Pakistani leadership is playing in the hand of the United States to serve its sinister motives against Iran," said opposition lawmaker Liaquat Baloch, an MMA legislator. "This is part of a conspiracy to defame national heroes and our scientists." Baloch demanded the government stop making "reckless" statements and tell lawmakers when the centrifuges were handed over and who was in control of the military and the government in Pakistan at that time. |