ISLAMABAD – The government on Monday gave a nod to a private members’ bill in the Senate suggesting that Friday be a weekly holiday instead of Sunday. The bill led to a heated debate on rules of procedure and parliamentary traditions with the Awami National Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement opposing the bill, and religious elements supporting it.
In the absence of Law Minister Babar Awan, Arbab Alamgir Khan, when asked by the chair, did not oppose the bill introduced by Hafiz Rashid Ahmad, which sough amendment in Article 270-AA of the constitution. The formal assent to the bill provoked the ANP members, who were of the view that that the decision would harm the business community. Ilyas Bilour and Haji Adeel of the ANP said the economy of the country was already suffering and it could not afford a three-day cut off from the rest of the world in case Friday was declared a weekly holiday.
However, the mover, backed by Allama Sajid Mir, Professor Ibrahim Khan and Professor Khurshid Ahmad, pressed the chair for referring the bill to the committee concerned, as the government had not opposed it.
Govt says yes to weekly holiday on Friday
