Senate admits motion to debate Jadhav issue

• Rabbani directs to issue notices to Foreign Ministry, Attorney General about Indian agent

Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani on Monday admitted an adjournment motion to discuss the decision of the International Court of Justice, staying the execution of death sentence awarded to Kulbhushan Jadhav, the Indian agent.

Senator Sirajul Haq, the mover of the motion, spoke to admit this adjournment motion of great national importance which the chairman admitted for two hours discussion on a specific date to be announced later. Chairman Rabbani also directed to issue notices to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Attorney General about the admissibility of this adjournment motion which would be discussed in the House.

Earlier, the chairman did not admit an adjournment motion regarding seizure of heroin from an aircraft of PIA at the Heathrow Airport. He said that the Special Committee was looking into this matter so it was not in order for admissibility. Another motion about FATA reforms was not admitted for being in contravention with rules as the same issue was responded to by the Minister for Finance on May 29, 2017.

The House also passed two motions under Rule 194 (1) to extend the presentation period of two reports. The first report was regarding the details of income and expenditures of the Pakistan Cricket Board during the last five years while other was about the Premarital Blood Screening (Family Laws Amendment) Bill, 2016.

FINANCE BILL: The upper house of the parliament continued the discussion on the Finance Bill, 2017, containing the annual budget statement, under Article 73 of the constitution. Senator Sardar Yaqoob said that despite agitations and sit-ins, the government continued its plans for the economic progress. He suggested making plans to conserve monsoon water for its proper utilisation.

Senator Sassui Palijo urged the government to allocate more amount in the current budget for the welfare of the poor people. She said that the government should address the problems being faced by the poor segment of the society. Senator Mir Kabeer urged the government to improve transmission lines in Balochistan for smooth supply of electricity.

He said that 500 megawatts grid station was urgently required. He expressed the hope that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would prove as a source of development for Balochistan. He urged the government to improve road infrastructure under CPEC in Balochistan.

Senator Shibli Faraz said that more focus should be paid on energy project to overcome energy deficit issue. He suggested that the development projects should be announced for small provinces. He said that steps should be taken for the revival of country’s rich culture besides focus on the promotion of the language.

Senator Sardar Musakhel said that the government should allocate funds in the current budget for the uplift of less developed areas. He said additional amount should be allocated for initiating development projects in Balochistan. Senator Taj Haider said that efforts should be made to stop economic migration among province which was creating problems.

“This will only be possible when funds will be allocated equally for developed and less developed areas,” he added. He also said that steps should be taken to collect taxes from the corporate sector. He suggested that sales and income tax collection should be shifted to provinces to achieve better results by fixing targets for them.

He said less developed areas should be included in development plans and make these areas at par with developed areas of the country. Senator Mushahidullah said that the CPEC project would transform the life of common man. He said that the government has initiated several mega projects to overcome energy deficit issue.