The parliamentary standing committee on the ministry of defence yesterday deferred its scheduled discussion of the controversial purchase of eight MlG-29s by the government to July 28.

According to meeting sources, chairperson of the parliamentary body cut the meeting short on the insistence of ruling party leader and chief whip of parliament Abul Has-nat Abdullah, yesterday. Abdullah argued that he had business in the House that was disposing of some private members’ resolutions. sources added.

Admitting that the discussion on the MIG purchase has been deferred to July 28. chairman of the parliamentary body and a ruling party legislator Mai Gen (retd) ShafiulTah MP told The Daily Star that the issue would be the first item on the next meeting’s agenda.

But a BNP member on the body Maj (retd) Akhtaruzzaman scented 'mystery' in deferring the discussion. "Had the discussion been held yesterday, it would have been timely. But the ruling party members, especially the chief whip, mysteriously deferred it." said Akhtaruzzaman. "May be the government, for their interest.

oes not want the discussion before the purchase of the MIGs is completed."

However, the three-member sub-committee headed by ruling party legislator Col (retd) Shawkat Ali submitted its reports yesterday on the alleged injustice on some members of the armed forces who lost their jobs on disciplinary ground.

The sub-committee report will be taken up for discussion by the members of the main committee very soon, said the chief of the parliamentary body.