Parliamentary secretary says notified border points with Afghanistan open for trade, business activities
TLTP
ISLAMABAD
The National Assembly has been informed that the situation has returned to normalcy in the country after the steps taken by the government to deal with the violent protests of a religious group.
The National Assembly met on Friday in the chair of Speaker Asad Qaisar on a notice of less than 24 hours, to discuss the law and order situation due to violent protests staged by a religious party and unprecedented surge in Covid-19 cases all over the country.
Taking the floor, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said that normalcy returned after the steps taken by the government to deal with the violent protests. He said that all the roads have been opened.
He said no group can be allowed to disturb the law and order and dictate its terms to the government. He said neither the religion nor the constitution allows attacks on the police personnel.
The minister for parliamentary affairs recalled that both the houses of the parliament passed unanimous resolutions strongly condemning the publication of blasphemous material in France. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan raised the issue strongly at every world forum.
Speaker NA Asad Qaisar said, “We are love Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wa Sallam Khatam-un-Nabiyyin and can sacrifice our lives for his sanctity.”
The National Assembly was informed that Pakistan’s notified borders with Afghanistan are open for trade and business activities.
Responding to a calling attention notice moved by Gul Dad Khan and others in the house, Parliamentary Secretary for Interior Shaukat Ali said the notified border points are Torkham, Chaman, Badini, Angur Ada, Ghulam Khan and Kharlachi.
The movers of the calling attention emphasised the need for enhancing trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. They said that more crossing points should be opened between the two countries to achieve the objective.
Minister for Energy Omer Ayub Khan laid before the house the Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power (Amendment) Ordinance 2021.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan laid before the house the annual report of Pakistan Information Commission for the period from 1st January 2020 to 30th November 2020.
Two bills were also laid before the house today. These included: the Muslim Family Laws (Amendment) Bill and the National Commission on the Rights of Child (Amendment) Bill. The chair referred the bills to the standing committees concerned.
Responding to the points raised by minorities’ members, Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari said a bill has been prepared against the forced conversions.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said that a parliamentary committee was constituted to guarantee the rights of the minorities as per the constitution of Pakistan. He said, “We respect the rights of the minority community.”
Pakistan Peoples Party leader Naveed Qamar said that his party will fully support any bill aimed at protecting the rights of minorities.
The house also offered fateha for Hazrat Syeda Fatima (R.A) on the occasion of her death anniversary being observed on Friday.
The House was later adjourned to meet at 02:00pm on Monday.
The National Assembly Secretariat earlier issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the session, stating that the National Assembly will meet only for three days a week i.e. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and that the maximum duration of a sitting will be two hours. According to the SOPs, a minimum number of the members will remain in the house at a time and that the parliamentary parties will be informed three days in advance in case of taking up any important legislation during the session.
