–Senate unanimously passes West Pakistan Juvenile Smoking (Repeal) Bill, 2018
ISLAMABAD: The opposition on Tuesday staged a walkout from Senate to protest the alleged victimisation of political opponents by Balochistan government.
Speaking on a Point of Order, Senator Hasil Bazinjo said that the Balochistan government was victimising its opponents. The opposition staged a token walkout to condemn the alleged victimisation.
Meanwhile, speaking on another point of order, Senator Javed Abbasi said that the report of deposited donations in the Daimer-Bhasha, Mohmand Dams fund should be presented in Senate after every fortnight.
He appreciated the initiative of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar and Prime Minister Imran Khan for the construction of dams.
Criticising the increase in gas price, he said that the increase will affect the poor segment of the society.
Senator Rehman Malik demanded the representation of Senators in the proposed Parliamentary Committee to probe election riggings.
Senator Lt Gen (r) Abdul Qayyum demanded an end to confusion in foreign policy.
He also sought clarification from the government regarding the provision of alleged transit trade facilities to India. Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Haroon Akhtar, Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahi criticised government’s policy.
Senator Muhammad Azam Khan Musakhel demanded implementation of the promised share in government jobs to the youth of Balochistan. The Senate chairman referred the quota issue to the committee concerned for further probe.
Senator Brigadier (r) John Kenneth Alliums demanded additional incentives to minority students as being provided to Hafiz-e-Quran students.
Senator Syed Sabir Shah stressed the repatriation of Afghan refugees to their native areas.
Criticising nationality being given to Afghan refugees, he said that the repatriation of Afghan refugees should be ensured within a one year period.
Senator Faisal Javed said that water storage capacity of Pakistan is only one month and experts are saying that Pakistan would go dry by the year 2025. Pakistan has only 185 dams, out of which only two mega dams had so far been constructed.
He asked the countrymen to contribute generously in dam construction funds.
Tahir Bazinjo criticised granting citizenship rights to refugees residing in Sindh.
Rukhsana Zubairi stressed conserving water and constructing small reservoirs across the country.
Mushahidullah Khan stressed constructing small underground water tanks for conserving water.
WEST PAKISTAN JUVENILE SMOKING (REPEAL) BILL, 2018 PASSED:
The Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed ‘The West Pakistan Juvenile smoking (Repeal) Bill, 2018’, arguing that an identical new law covers all the relevant provisions of juvenile smoking. The bill was moved by Minister for National Health Services Aamir Mehmood Kiyani.
According to the Bill, the enactment of the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Ordinance, 2002, the said law, had lost its importance and now all relevant provisions were already covered in the said ordinance. Therefore, there was no need of retention of the West Pakistan Juvenile Smoking Ordinance, 1959.
According to the statement of objects and reasons, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan in its report while discussing Repeal of Obsolete and Redundant Legislations’ proposed to repeal the West Pakistan Juvenile Smoking Ordinance, 1959 (Ordinance No XII of 1959) in view of Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smoker’s Health Ordinance, 2002.