Pakistan govt to convene joint sitting of parliament next week

Islamabad: A joint sitting of the two houses of Pakistan's parliament has been convened on February 6 to endorse the imposition of Governor's Rule in the restive Balochistan province and to discuss the upcoming general election.

Acting President Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari has summoned the joint session of parliament at 5 pm on February 6, presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said. President Asif Ali Zardari is currently on an official visit to Britain to attend a trilateral summit on Afghanistan.

Besides endorsing the imposition of Governor's Rule in Balochistan, the joint sitting of parliament will discuss the dissolution of the national and provincial assemblies and the upcoming general election.

Members of the Balochistan Assembly have been protesting against the dismissal of the provincial government.

Law Minister Farooq H Naek told the media he had drawn up a formal proposal for convening the joint session of parliament as it was mandatory to seek endorsement for the imposition of Governor's Rule.

Governor's Rule was imposed in Balochistan last month in the wake of nationwide protests over terror attacks in the provincial capital of Quetta that killed over 90 people, a majority of them Shias. However, the proclamation for Governor's Rule has to be laid before a joint sitting of parliament for endorsement.

Since the imposition of Governor's Rule, members of the Balochistan Assembly have been protesting against the dismissal of the provincial government. They have also demanded the withdrawal of Governor's Rule.

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