LAHORE – The Punjab Assembly (PA) on Wednesday passed seven bills in absence of the joint opposition, which boycotted the session and also successfully completed its 100th day of proceedings to fulfill the constitutional requirement after passage of the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
The treasury benches for the first time felt comfortable during the ongoing 23rd session of the PA owing to the boycott of the opposition that provided enough room for presenting four bills and passing seven amended bills in a very smooth and peaceful manner. The opposition had not allowed the treasury benches to conduct their business during the first five days of the session.
The Punjab law minister introduced four bills including the Lahore Ring Road Authority Bill 2011, the Antiquities (Amendment) Bill 2011, the Disabled Persons (Employment and Rehabilitation) (Amendment) Bill 2011 and the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) (Amendment) Bill 2011. PA Deputy Speaker Rana Mashood chaired the house proceedings soon after Speaker Rana Iqbal referred the bills to the standing committees concerned with the direction of the chair to submit a report by April 30.
The treasury also passed the seven bills including the Trusts (Amendment) Bill 2011, the Transfer of Property (Amendment) Bill 2011, the Partition (Amendment) Bill 2011, the Employment of the Children (Amendment) Bill 2011, the Employment (Record of Services) (Amendment) Bill, the Punjab Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (Amendment) Bill 2011 and the Punjab Holy Quran (Printing and Recording) Bill.
Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah moved all the bills that were declared passed by the majority of treasury members voice votes. After the passage of the bills, the law minister said that this is really an honour for the members of house to pass the Punjab Holy Quran (Printing and Recording). The main feature of this legislation is to ensure error-free printing of the holy book and whoever found guilty could be awarded punishment up to three years along with heavy fine.
Soon after the legislation was passed, treasury member Ghazala Saad Rafique congratulated the ruling party and members of the House for completion of 100 days constitutional requirement. She also requested the chair to ensure provision of one month salary to the PA staff keeping in view their extra working. The chair, while appreciating the treasury member, referred the advice to the finance committee. He also appreciated the extra work of the assembly staffers. Just before the adjournment of the house, the treasury member also moved a resolution that was passed by the members.
The resolution demanded the federal government to immediately reinstate the Tax Amnesty Scheme, as it will not only improve investment conditions but will also help to redress the issue of unemployment. It will also help generate handsome revenue.
Mashood said that the agenda has been completed and the house is being adjourned till Thursday. The house also wished the Pakistani cricket team best of luck for its semi final with India. Raja Hanif Abbasi present a report of the Standing Committee on Law and Parliamentary Affairs; MPA Rana Afzal presented a report of the special committee; MPA Naeem Akhtar presented a report of the Standing Committee on Revenue; MPA Sakina Shaheen Wattoo presented a report of the Standing Committee on Housing, Urban and Rural Development; and MPA Abdur Razzaq sought an extension in the special committee’s report, which was granted by the House.
