PML-N ready to apologize on scuffle in Assembly, says Rana.

LAHORE, June 30, 2009 (Balochistan Times) -- Punjab Law Minister Rana Sana Ullah has said that PML-N was ready to apologize about the scuffle in the house; however, it would accept decision by the speaker in this regard, whatever it might be. Talking to reporters outside Punjab Assembly here on Tuesday, he urged the opposition members to play role for the elimination of undemocratic traditions in the house. People demanding southern Punjab as a separate province were behind the whole issue, he alleged. Condemning the violent incident in the house, Rana Sana Ullah stressed that such kind of incidents should not happen in future. According to him, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif wanted both the ruling and opposition members to seek apology from the house, so that non-parliamentary traditions should cease. He said that a delegation headed by Speaker Rana Mohammad Iqbal and Deputy Speaker Rana Mashood Ahmad has held negotiations with the opposition, in which the opposition stressed that minister for prisons, Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor should apologize from the house. The minister said that the Speaker Rana Mohammad Iqbal was the custodian of the house and, therefore, PML-N would accept the decision made by the Speaker whatever it might be. To stop such undemocratic incidents in the house in future, it was needed for both the members to apologize to the session , adding that PML-N was ready to apologize by accepting the apology demand of the opposition. However, he said that it was also necessary for the opposition members to play their due role to avoid such incidents in future and directed its member to apologize for the session. During the negotiations, Rana Sana Ullah said, it was agreed that members violating house traditions would be expelled form the house, in order to discourage them. He alleged that members demanding formation of south Punjab as an independent province were behind this sad incident and added that some politicians wanted prominence by staging such incidents. Replying to a question about medical legal report, he said that law for it existed; however, experience and mature doctors would be appointed on rural health centres in the light of Punjab Assembly recommendations. He said police officials manhandling journalists have been suspended and those found involved would be brought to justice.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)