Rabbani, Aitzaz welcome
— Abbasi says he will play his role to resolve issues
— Rights body present report about missing persons
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday assured the Senate that he would attend its session as per schedule and to play his role for resolving the outstanding issues.
In his brief and maiden address in the Senate after assuming the Prime Minister’s Office, he assured the House to attend the session and asked Leader of the House Raja Zafarul Haq to apprise him about the issues.
Welcoming the prime minister, Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani hoped that he would play his role for strengthening democratic process. He quoted the Rule 61 of Rules and Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate 2012 which was about raising of matters of public importance under the Prime Minister’s Zero Hour.
Sub-rule (2A) of Rule 61 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate states that the chief executive shall attend the Prime Minister’s Zero Hour (last hour of the sitting) at least once a week when the Senate is in the session.
Opposition Leader Aitzaz Ahsan also welcomed Prime Minister Abbasi in the House and said that appearance of the prime minister in the House would enrich its importance. Earlier, the Senate considered heavy legislative agenda appearing on orders of the day and witnessed introduction of 21 private member’s bills as well as passage of two other bills.
There were 88 agenda items appearing on the day and the Senate considered all legislative agenda which included 26 private members’ bills appearing for introduction and five private members bill for passage. Out of 26 bills, the House witnessed introduction of 21 bills and all of them were referred to the relevant committees.
Three other bills were rejected, one was not taken up for not fulfilling balloting criteria and one was deferred on the request of the mover. Two bills passed by the House included the Partnership (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and the Control of Narcotic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
Chairman Rabbani intimated the House about 14 bills reported back by the standing committees and awaiting motion under Rule 100 for further consideration on them. The senators were informed about six bills withdrawn from their relevant standing committee and being awaited for motion under Rule 100 for further consideration.
Earlier, a report of the Functional Committee on Human Rights about missing of Mufti Ameer Zaman from Attock and missing persons from Badin was presented in the House.
