Govt fully committed to safeguard the rights of laborers

The National Assembly was informed on Tuesday that the government is fully committed to safeguard the rights of the labourers and a number of steps have been taken to uplift the living standard of the workers.
Replying to a call attention notices moved by Abdul Haq Mian Mitha and others‚ Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah said that the government increased the minimum wages of the labourers from three thousand to eight thousand rupees during the last five years.
He said the pensions of the labourers and the scholarships of their children have also been increased.
Khurshid Ahmad Shah said the present government is laborer friendly and took historic steps for the welfare of the labourers. He said Benazir Stock Option Scheme was started in 87 government departments and institutions.
The House offered Fateha for the departed soul of the Husband of the MNA Fakhar-un-Nisa Khokhar.
On a point of order moved by Maulana Attaur Rehman‚ Minister for Defence Syed Naveed Qamar said that according to the Constitution of Pakistan‚ Ahmadi or Qadianis are not treated as Muslims.
He said all the government functionaries‚ working in the country and abroad‚ are bound to follow the Constitution and they cannot propagate anything against the Constitution.
To another point of order regarding the incident of PIA plane in Karachi last week‚ the Defence Minister said that an inquiry is underway to probe into the issue and report will be finalized soon.
He said the Ministry is vigilant regarding the flight operations of the PIA and the flight safety will not be compromised.
MNA Sheikh Aftab questioned performance of law enforcement agencies in maintaining law and order in the country.
Speaking in the National Assembly over a debate on the law order situation, he said that life and property of people were not safe. He said as to what the agencies were doing to prevent terrorist activities.
The lawmaker said that as to why the terror activities were not thwarted despite the interior ministry being informed about the terrorists’ plans.
MA Usman Advocate said that provincial ministers in Balochistan were involved in robberies, kidnapping for ransoms and killings.
He said that doctors and engineers were being murdered in the province.
The Defence Minister says development of communication infrastructure in South Asian Countries is vital to promote regional trade
Minister for Defense Syed Naveed Qamar told NA the need for development of communication infrastructure for enhancement of intra trade relations.
There is a dire need to evolve joint strategy to deal with these issues. He said there is also need to explore the true potential of IT and Telecom sectors to better deal with the economic challenges.
PML-N Saad Rafiq told NA that Kala Bagh dam is a thorny issue and must be resolved with consensus as dual standards must not be applied to it in this regard.