NA passes PML-N’s resolution seeking early recovery of missing persons

The National Assembly on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution moved by the PML-N seeking early recovery of missing persons.
The resolution says, “This House is deeply disturbed over the plight of the families of persons who have been missing for long periods without any intimation as to their whereabouts and who remain untraced to date. This House notes, with great concern, that in this regard grave allegations of acts and omissions, complicity and concealment are being raised against state agencies, which are tarnishing their image and reputation at home and abroad notwithstanding their immense contribution and tremendous sacrifices in the defence and security of Pakistan.”
“This House calls upon the government to ensure prevalence of the rule of law and to implement, without further delay, observations of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and recommendations of the Commission of Enquiry on Enforced Disappearances for enactment of necessary legislation to resolve the problem of missing persons and also recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry concerning the murder of Saleem Shahzad for a comprehensive framework law to regulate the role and functioning of the intelligence and security agencies,” the resolution adds.
The resolution further says, “This House authorises the speaker to constitute, in consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, an eight member special committee with equal representation from both sides of the House, to monitor progress in this regard. The special committee shall also, after meetings with representatives of the families of missing persons and victims of terrorism and briefings by the concerned intelligence and security agencies, submit its recommendations to the House within two months as to additional measures required.”
Opposition leader Nisar Ali Khan commended the passage of resolution and said a quarter of job had been done in the missing persons’ case through this resolution. “This resolution should neither be construed as against any institution nor it is meant for political point scoring”, Nisar declared and held the view that if anyone was involved in anti-state activities, he should be prosecuted in the court of law instead of disappearing him. Nisar lashed out at Interior Minister Rehman Malik on the missing persons’ issue when Malik spoke and told the House that there were only 43 missing persons in the country. Nisar verbally attacked the interior minister. Nisar said Malik was responsible and asked the chair to teach him the rules of the House, when he tried to speak interrupting Nisar’s speech.
Speaking on a point of order, Manwer Lal, MQM MNA on minorities’ seat said a Hindu woman had been forced to convert in interior Sindh. He alleged that it was done on the behest of one PPP parliamentarian. On it, the MQM and the ANP parliamentarian staged a token walkout from the House.
The National Assembly unanimously passed “The Industrial Relations Bill, 2012. The bill provides to consolidate and rationalize the law relating to formation of trade unions, and improvement of relations between employers and workmen in the Islamabad Capital Territory and trans-provincial establishments and industry. The bill has been earlier passed by the Senate. Meanwhile, Minister for Water and Power Naveed Qamar on Wednesday informed the Lower House that the government of Pakistan had raised objections on the designs of some four hydroelectric plant projects, which India intended to undertake recently on Indus river waters. Through his written reply, the water and power minister informed the House that India had officially expressed its intention to undertake construction of four projects including Dumkhar Micro Hydel Project (0.5MW), Marpachoo Hydroelectric Plant (0.75MW), Dah Small Hydroelectric Plant (6MW) and Hanu Small Hydroelectric Plant (5MW).