Pakistan Peoples Party senior leader Senator Palwasha Khan on Tuesday alleged that a “fake ordinance” was issued without the consent or signature of President Asif Ali Zardari, calling it a serious lapse and an act of deception against the head of state.
Addressing a press conference at the Peoples Secretariat alongside PPP leader Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed, Palwasha Khan said the country had previously witnessed fake medicines and fake degrees, but was now seeing fake ordinances as well. She claimed an ordinance was issued in the president’s name without his knowledge or approval.
She said President Zardari himself was kept unaware of the ordinance, adding that the government later termed the incident a “mistake.” Palwasha Khan warned that Pakistan could not afford such errors and advised the government to act responsibly and identify those responsible. She demanded that those involved be removed and what she described as a “factory of fake ordinances” be shut down.
The PPP leader said while the government eventually withdrew the ordinance after admitting the mistake, such incidents could harm the ruling coalition. She stressed that the PPP would continue to give sincere advice but would not remain silent over serious governance failures.
On privatisation, Palwasha Khan reiterated that the PPP would not allow the privatisation of the National Shipping Corporation. She questioned who was advising the government on such matters and said the party had a clear stance against privatising key national assets. She said the PPP would raise its voice and present facts before the public.
Commenting on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s recent political gathering in Karachi, she said Bagh-e-Jinnah was a large park and difficult for PTI to fill, which is why the party opted to hold its rally on the road instead.
Speaking on the occasion, Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed alleged that the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines amounted to robbing the public. He said a PIA office in Islamabad’s Blue Area was valued at Rs2 billion, which reflected the undervaluation of national assets. He added that PIA’s properties alone were worth around Rs200 billion, while the airline’s liabilities stood at Rs135 billion.
He further said that Senator Palwasha Khan, who is a member of the privatisation committee, had sought documents related to PIA’s privatisation but was not provided with the required information. He clarified that while the PPP was part of the government in parliament, it did not endorse all government decisions outside the parliamentary framework.
