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			<title>Opponents to supporters: Lawmakers now support all cultural activities</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327679/opponents-to-supporters-lawmakers-now-support-all-cultural-activities</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327679/opponents-to-supporters-lawmakers-now-support-all-cultural-activities#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 12 22:50:32 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[abdul.manan]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Opposition might challenge the re-passage of 28 bills returned by the governor.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Thursday was a busy day for members of the Punjab Assembly.


A resolution supporting extracurricular activities in public and private education institutions was passed, amid some opposition. The treasury also managed to pass 14 bills, sent back by the governor with objections after the previous session, through motions in the House. This did not go down well with the PPP, which said that it was contemplating challenging the re-passage of the bills.

Opposition Leader Raja Riaz presented the resolution in the House in order to address the objections of several lawmakers, who on Wednesday had opposed a resolution passed on Tuesday supporting a ban on ‘objectionable’ concerts at schools and colleges.

The session commenced at 10.55am.

The lawmakers had agreed on Wednesday that the fresh resolution would address concerns about ‘objectionable’ and ‘vulgar’ activities. However, the resolution moved by Riaz was not only missing the two words but also ‘music concerts’.

The text of the resolution read: “The House is of the opinion that there shall not be any ban on any extra curricular, cultural, national and literary activities in public and private education institutions.”

Disagreement came not just from the opposition but also the treasury. PML-N’s Maulana Ilyas Chinioti and Chaudhry Abdul Waheed opposed it.

Unification Bloc’s Sheikh Alauddin walked out after the Speaker did not accept his request that his name be added to the committee asked to draft the resolution. After Riaz moved the resolution, Alauddin said that he should be given credit for the new draft “since it’s my resolution”. The Speaker told him that he had not yet received any resolution submitted by him [Alauddin]. Alauddin then asked the Speaker to include his name amongst movers but his request was once again denied. Alauddin walked out from the House but came back shortly after.

PML-N’s Ilyas Chinioti opposed the resolution and demanded that the term ‘cultural activities’ be defined. “The Quran says that those who sing or listen to songs are condemned to hell,” he said. Did the term ‘cultural activities’ include music concerts, he asked. “Islam prohibits music concerts. If they are allowed at education institutions, our children will be distanced from Islam,” the PML-N member said.

Chaudhry Abdul Waheed supported him and said that Islam “should not be disgraced through cultural activities”.

At this point, PPP’s Rifat Sultana Dar rose in her chair and said, “Songs were also sung in Holy Prophet’s (peace be upon him) time”.

“That is the country’s biggest problem: everybody wants to impose their version of Islam on others when Islam teaches that one should follow the teachings oneself,” said Humaira Awais Shahid, from the PML-Q. She then pointed out that the Punjab government had arranged a musical evening on Saturday, when the Food Street near Lahore Fort was inaugurated. “Why does the government want to ban music concerts in education institutions?” she said.

The Speaker asked Sanaullah to respond to the objections. Sanaullah said that the term ‘culture’ did not need to be defined “since everybody knows about the province’s culture”. He requested the Speaker to put the resolution to vote.

Parliamentary Secretary Zafar Iqbal Nagra answered members’ queries about the Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department.

Bills

PPP Deputy Parliamentary Leader Shaukat Basra called the last two days as “the darkest days” of Punjab’s parliamentary history. He said rules were “bulldozed” to re-pass the 28 bills the governor had returned with objections. He said that the PPP was thinking of moving court to challenge the ‘unconstitutional’ action.

Fourteen of the returned bills were passed on Wednesday and the remaining on Thursday. 25 bills are related to subjects that used to be on the concurrent list that was abolished under the 18th amendment. The remaining three bills are: The Punjab Local Government Second (Amendment) Bill 2011, The Ghazi University DG Khan Bill 2011 and The Punjab Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill 2011.

Treasury leaders said that motions had been moved in line with Rule 235 of the Rules of Procedure of the Punjab Assembly. PML-Q’s Sardar Mohsin Khan Leghari said that the said rule allowed the speaker to adopt the procedure in cases which were not specific. However, he said, in this case the governor sent back the bills “specifically for reconsideration”.

The bills should therefore have been presented in the House through relevant standing committees, he said.

(Read: Banning concerts?)

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>The culture debate</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327677/the-culture-debate</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327677/the-culture-debate#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 12 22:39:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[mohammed.rizwan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Resolution presented there should be no restriction on extra-curricular activities including cultural and literary.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Punjab Assembly yesterday landed, unwittingly, in unfamiliar territory when it was asked to define ‘culture’.

The moment came when the House was trying to pass a resolution in order to rectify the ‘mistake’ they made on Tuesday in passing a resolution supporting a ban on ‘objectionable’ concerts in schools and colleges. The resolution had drawn a lot of flak from the media and the House wanted to set matters right by bringing an overriding resolution.

The text of the resolution presented on Thursday said that there should be no restriction on extra-curricular activities including cultural and literary activities in public and private educational institutions.

This triggered a lively debate in the House. A PML-N member said that he would oppose the resolution if the term ‘cultural activities’ included music concerts. The reason: Islam does not allow such activities.

Maulana Ilyas Chinioti, son of late Maulana Manzoor Ahmed Chinioti, said that those who produce or listen to music are condemned to hell. He said ‘culture’ should be defined and the government should stop promoting “loose morals” in its name.

Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, sensing that the debate was entering the realm of intellectual discourse, asked the Speaker to call for a vote.

In a way the law minister was right to do so. The word ‘culture’ is used in various contexts and frequently misunderstood. The religious tend to interpret is as ‘everything un-Islamic’ while the moderates and the liberals think of it purely in terms of arts, music and an unbridled sel expression.

Encarta Online Dictionary defines it as “art, music and literature; shared beliefs and values of a group; a group of people whose shared beliefs and practices identify a particular place, class, or time to which they belong; behaviour of a particular people or nation”.

The broad definition points towards something deeply embedded in and associated with a particular land.

So when Maulana Chinioti said that music was not a part of our culture he was, by this definition, wrong. Music is embedded in the sub-continent’s cultures. Islam was spread in the sub-continent by sufi mystics most of whom wrote poetry. Some liked music as well. Khwaja Nizamuddin Aulia’s appreciation of Amir Khusro is evidence enough.  Shah Hussain and Baba Farid Shakar Ganj wrote some great reformist poetry. And who doesn’t know about the great tradition of qawwali and sufi music?

If the Maulana thinks that all this is also un-Islamic, he is not making much sense because the particular style of sub-continental qawwali or kafi is also prevalent in north African Islamic societies like Morocco, Algiers and Tunis. When we look at history, we find that culture relates to a particular land. Had that not been the case, the Moroccan, Turkish, Indonesian and Saudi societies would all be the same.

Perhaps the reason why the law minister sought an abrupt end to the debate and asked that the motion be put to vote was because he realised how deeply divided or should we say confused, the Pakistani society is when it comes to understanding the term.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>Banning concerts?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327618/banning-concerts</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327618/banning-concerts#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 12 19:16:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[For the sake of culture, free speech and youth of the country, this PA resolution needs to be repudiated by all.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The decision by the Punjab Assembly to pass a resolution calling for a ban on ‘objectionable’ concerts at educational institutions may be one of the worst examples yet of lawmakers trying to impose their version of morality on the constituents they serve. Although the resolution is non-binding, it still needs to be vociferously opposed before members of the provincial assembly decide that they have the support to convert it into a binding bill. What is most dangerous about the bill is its refusal to define ‘objectionable’. A morality brigade imbued with the fumes of self-righteousness could use it to shut down everything from classic dance to rock concerts. Whether artistic content is ‘objectionable’ lies in the eyes of the beholder and cannot be legislated by politicians, especially when the majority party in the Pubjab Assembly is the one that banned the wearing of jeans by pop singers on national television in the 1990s.

The resolution was spurred by a tragedy at a concert in Lahore where three girls were killed in a stampede. Rather than shutting down the venue and jailing the organisers, who allowed the overcrowding which caused the stampede, legislators decide to play the morality card. Furthermore, in this debate no mention was made of safety laws that would ensure the well-being of attendees. It is almost as if they think those who attend ‘objectionable’ concerts have no one but themselves to blame. The actions of the Punjab Assembly would suggest that MPs have granted themselves the right to ban anything they don’t personally approve of. This is not how a free society should be governed. Inevitably, politicians who think they can ban cultural events will try and expand the list of proscribed activities. Such moral policing only ensures that there are fewer public spaces that welcome youngsters, driving them further away from mainstream society. For the sake of culture, free speech and the youth of the country, this Punjab Assembly resolution needs to be repudiated by all.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Punjab Assembly passes resolution in favour of extracurricular activities</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327509/punjab-assembly-passes-resolution-in-favour-of-cultural-events</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327509/punjab-assembly-passes-resolution-in-favour-of-cultural-events#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 12 08:36:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[abdul.manan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=327509</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[House passes resolution tabled by Raja Riaz opposing previous resolution seeking ban on college concerts.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Punjab Assembly on Thursday, amid opposing voices, cautiously passed a resolution in favour of extracurricular activities in all public and private educational institutions in the province.

The treasury and opposition benches unanimously omitted the word ‘musical concerts’ from the new draft of the resolution and managed to get an approval from the house with a simple majority, and not unanimously.

Opposition Leader Raja Riaz tabled the resolution, framed with the consent of committee members Punjab Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Parliamentary Leader Chuahdry Zahiruddin Khan and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Deputy Parliamentary Leader Shaukat Basra.

The resolution states:
The house is of an opinion that there shall not be any ban on any extracurricular activities including cultural, national and literary activities in all public and private educational institutions.
Following criticism from civil society and the media, Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal on Wednesday constituted a committee to bring a new resolution in order to dilute the impression of an earlier passed resolution from the house.

The Punjab Assembly had on Tuesday passed a resolution moved by Seemal Kamran, seeking a ban on “objectionable” musical concerts in public and educational institutions in the province.

Unification Bloc member Sheikh Alaudin demanded the chair of the house that the resolution presented by Riaz was actually his resolution; hence he should be given due credit.

The speaker, while turning down his arguments, said that he had not yet received his resolution. But Alauddin continued to exchange words with the speaker and even requested him to include his name in the resolution. However, the speaker did not change his stance and put the question of approval of the resolution in front of the house.

In response, Alauddin walked out of the assembly, but came back shortly.

According to the Rules of Procedure of Punjab Assembly, under Rule115, Tuesday is specified for presenting resolutions to the house. But according to Rule 234, the speaker has the power to allow a member to table a resolution any other day, out of turn.

PML-N MPA Ilyas Chinioti opposed the resolution and demanded that the term “cultural activities” be defined. Chinioti cited a verse from the Holy Quran and said, “Singing and listening to songs both are sinful activities”. He said that Islam prohibits musical concerts at any place and if these were allowed in the educational institutions then their generations would be distanced from Islam.

PML-N Chaudhry Abdul Waheed said that if musical concerts would be put under cultural activities then it was his responsibility to raise his voice against it. He said that the teachings of Islam should not be humiliated through cultural activities.

PPP’s Rifat Sultana Dar stood up and tried to convince the opposing members that songs were also sung in the age of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

PML-Q’s Humaira Awais Shahid said that it was the biggest problem of the country that everyone came forward to impose Islam on others and spare themselves. She said that Punjab government on Saturday had arranged a musical concert at the inauguration ceremony of a food street near Lahore Fort.]]>
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			<title>Musical evening: A nod to the maestro and his disciples</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327242/musical-evening-a-nod-to-the-maestro-and-his-disciples</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327242/musical-evening-a-nod-to-the-maestro-and-his-disciples#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 12 02:59:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=327242</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Ustad Sultan Fateh Ali Khan invigorates yet another mehfil with his timeless melodies.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Amid classical beats and soulful singing, Ustad Sultan Fateh Ali Khan recreated a delightful aura for his fans at Kuch Khaas (KK) on Thursday. Unlike previous performances, the maestro was joined by his students who had been practicing for months and had finally gotten an opportunity to showcase their talent before an audience.


Seven year-old Rana Duad Sahir stunned listeners with his exceptional vocals, “I was amazed at his pitch, he was brilliant,” exclaimed Sara Malik, an audience member. Other performers such as Qudsiya Manzoor and Abida Ijaz among others were mesmerising in their own rights.

“The performers were at different levels of training but equally commendable,” said Programme Coordinator Umme Aimen Kazmi. She said that more of such events had been planned for the year. “We are thinking of conducting a concert every six months, as more students join in,” she added.

Khan belongs to the famous Patiala gharana, a family which has produced several generations of renowned classical singers. He is the son of the Ustad Fateh Ali Khan and nephew of the late Ustad Amanat Ali Khan. He started his singing career at the tender age of seven under the tutelage of classical music giants. Apart from classical singing, Khan also excels at semi-classical, ghazal, folk and light singing.

Khan formed the first pop band of Lahore in 1987, called ‘The Avengers’, and was one of the pioneers in combining pop and classical music. His cousin Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan followed suit later on and formed the band ‘Fusion’.

Apart from performing all over the country, Khan has also performed in European countries, the Middle East, India, South Africa, Bangladesh and Nepal. He has also written and composed several songs such as “Ankhon ke saagar” and “Tere bina jiya nahi jaye”which were sung by Shafqat Amanat Ali when he was with Fusion. Besides KK, he also teaches classical singing at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts and Mausikar, run by a trust of the same name.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>College concerts: Committee constituted to draft fresh resolution</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327202/college-concerts-committee-constituted-to-draft-fresh-resolution</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327202/college-concerts-committee-constituted-to-draft-fresh-resolution#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 12 21:52:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[abdul.manan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=327202</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Punjab Assembly re-passes 14 bills sent back by the governor.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The resolution against ‘objectionable’ concerts at educational institutes that the House adopted on Tuesday remained under discussion on Wednesday.


PML-Q members wanted any amendments to it to be discussed in the House but after a debate the Speaker constituted a three-member committee to draft a new resolution acceptable to all.

The Wednesday session lasted six hours. During the day the House once again passed the 14 bills, which Governor Sardar Latif Khan Khosa had sent back. The members also demanded that the House be briefed daily about the headway been made regarding the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) incident.

Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports, Archaeology and Tourism Department Rana Muhammad Arshad answered members’ questions about his department.

Earlier, a Unification Bloc member Sheikh Alauddin, speaking on a point of order, condemned the resolution demanding a ban on objectionable musical concerts in educational institutions. He said that music had a long history and seeking a ban on it was unreasonable. What’s next, asked the member, a ban at schools and colleges on wearing jeans?

At this point, he was interrupted by Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal who asked him where he was when the resolution was presented in the House. “You should have opposed it then,” he said and then asked Law Minister Rana Sanaullah to respond to Alauddin’s comments.

Sanaullah said that he had opposed the resolution. “It was at my objection that the word ‘objectionable’ was added,” he said, adding that the members had passed a resolution opposing ‘vulgar and objectionable’ music concerts in education institutions.

“Also, a resolution is not a law, he said. “All the members who were present in the House [on Tuesday] endorsed the resolution,” said the law minister.

PML-Q Parliamentary Leader Chaudhry Zaheeruddin Khan then said that he agreed with Sanaullah about banning “vulgar and objectionable” music concerts and suggested that a new resolution be moved.

Leader of Opposition Raja Riaz – who while talking to reporters ahead of the session, had vowed that the PPP would move a resolution condemning the Tuesday resolution – also lent his support to Sanaullah and Zaheeruddin. “A new resolution should be tabled but objectionable and vulgar music concerts should not be allowed,” he said.

Alauddin protested at this point and demanded that the House either withdraw the Tuesday resolution or bring a new resolution excluding the word objectionable. “If the new resolution has the word ‘objectionable’ then it will mean that the principal of that institution would be required to seek permission from the Culture Department before every concert,” he said. That, Alauddin said, was unacceptable. “Music is part of Punjab’s culture. It should not be banned through a resolution,” the Unification Bloc member said.

However, most members said that they would not allow ‘objectionable’ and ‘vulgar’ concerts in educational institutions. The Speaker then constituted a committee comprising Chaudhry Zaheeruddin, Shaukat Basra and Rana Sanaullah to table a new resolution.

PPP staged a walkout after Raja Riaz was not allowed to debate the issue in detail but the members returned shortly after.

PIC tragedy

Raja Riaz demanded that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif resign since he had the charge of the Health Department. “Sharif should come to the House and apprise the members about what steps the Punjab government is taking to stop any more casualties,” he said. Riaz asked the Speaker to summon the chief minister through an ad in the press. However, members later agreed that the parliamentary health secretary should brief the House daily.

Bills

The treasury benches managed to re-pass the 14 bills the governor had returned after the previous session.

The opposition tried to thwart the passage by raising objections and pointing out quorum five times.

First it said that the treasury could not move the bills as ‘motions’. Rules demanded that the bills once again be sent to the standing committees concerned before being presented in the House, it said.

Sanaullah said that procedure was supposed to be followed when new bills were presented. These bills, he said, had already been passed and therefore required only a motion in order to be re-passed.

The opposition then asked the treasury benches not to pass the bills until the parliamentary implementation commission had notified new devolution of power arrangements. To this, Sanaullah said that after the 18th amendment, all departments under the concurrent lists stood devolved. It was now the responsibility of provincial governments to legislate, he said.

(Read: Wasted youth)

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26th, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>Concert stampede: Complex security in-charge gets bail</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327208/concert-stampede-complex-security-in-charge-gets-bail</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327208/concert-stampede-complex-security-in-charge-gets-bail#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 12 21:19:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=327208</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Major (r) Saleem says stampede caused by bomb scare.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Additional District and Sessions Judge Shahida Saeed on Wednesday confirmed the after-arrest bail of Major (retired) Muhammad Saleem, who was in charge of security at the Alhamra Cultural Complex two weeks ago when three girls were killed and six injured in a stampede following a concert.


The judge confirmed his bail against surety of Rs100,000. Saleem contended that he bore no responsibility for the deaths at the concert for students of the Punjab Group of Colleges on January 9. He said that the stampede was caused by a boy who shouted that there was a bomb in the arena, causing panic. He said that there was no negligence on the part of the college administration or venue security.

The complainant in the case, Naseem Abbas Malik, lost his daughter Maheen in the stampede and named Saleem, Agha Tahir Saleem (principal of the college) and Muhammad Iqbal, security guard of the college, as accused. The case was registered at Gulberg police station under Sections 322 and 337/L2 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Malik said that at the end of the concert, the main exit of the venue was not opened and instead the students were crammed into a narrow lane leading to a small side exit. He said that security guards deputed by the college administration started pushing back at the crowd and then began swinging their batons, causing the stampede in the crowd of “more than one thousand girls”. He accused the respondents of negligence.

(Read: Wasted youth)

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>PA concert ban: Another day, another disappointment</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327182/pa-concert-ban-another-day-another-disappointment</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327182/pa-concert-ban-another-day-another-disappointment#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 12 19:34:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sher.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=327182</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Musicians lash out against the resolution to ban ‘objectionable’ concerts in educational institutions.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Punjab Assembly’s resolution to ban ‘objectionable’ concerts in educational institutions passed on January 24 was refuted by another resolution submitted by PPP MPA Sajida Meer. The latter resolution called for the promotion of cultural activities in the assembly on January 25 and stated that the former ban did not ‘suit the 21st century. When the opposition leader, Raja Riaz of PPP, was denied permission to speak, the opposition staged a walked out from the Punjab Assembly.


The hype around the resolution has snowballed into wide condemnation from leading musicians of the Pakistani music industry. The move is seen as a major blow for artists, who, in a large part, earn their bread and butter from live shows and concerts.

The resolution was passed three weeks after the stampede at Alhamra led to the death of three young girls during an Atif Aslam concert.

Ahmed Ali Butt (Entity Paradigm)

The government has done their level best to destroy arts and culture in Pakistan. But despite this music survives because the internet has provided another platform for artists to promote their music on. They don’t realise that music has now become a branch of education and by putting a damper on the music industry, they are actually hurting an important channel of education.

Adnan Sarwar (Club Caramel)

The government has all the protocol and security to provide to an organisation like Jamaatud Dawa, that is allowed to hold Difa-i-Pakistan Conference with thousands of people, but they don’t have security to give to 300 students at a concert. In such a situation, India seems like the only option, but then don’t blame us for not being the ‘ideal’ ambassadors of Pakistan.

Ali Noor (Noori)

I am extremely offended by this statement. The reason we entered the music industry was to touch the cultural sensitivities of the people through live music. I have stayed away from politics throughout my music career but this is something totally unacceptable. If the government ends up passing this bill, I am not going stay silent this time around. It’s not about our livelihood; it’s a matter of principle.

Ali Azmat

The government has never really understood the issues of the country and this how they react in ignorance. I have been speaking with PML-N MPA Mohsin Latif and the Punjab chief minister and have been using Twitter to gather support against the resolution. The musicians have done little to protect their rights, which is why we don’t know about our legal rights.

Shallum Xavier (Fuzon)

My heart goes out to those who suffered in the Alhamra tragedy, but this resolution shows the incompetence of the Punjab government. About 15 years ago, there was a ban on wearing jeans and keeping long hair  and this just sounds like one of those ridiculous acts. The government has never bothered to arrange funds for the musicians but they seem more than enthusiastic to stop their bread and butter. People fear Talibanisation, they don’t realise that acts like these show that Taliban thinking has already become a part of our mindset.

Faisal Kapadia (Strings)

I know this resolution is a result of the tragedy that took place at Alhamra but this not the way to go about it. Instead of banning concerts you should work on improving the security protocols and event management. Not only are concerts the only way of making a living for the musicians, they also are the only form of live entertainment.We already have Indian content running all over the channels and this is just the nail in the coffin. Punjab is the biggest venue for live performances and such a ban could seriously damage the music industry.

Meekal Hassan

These people have made Pakistan a cultural wasteland. When they closed down public venues, schools and colleges were the only source of revenue for artists. I’m planning to file a civil suit against the government. I will be meeting with my lawyer to stop the resolution before it goes through the legislative process.

Khurram Waqar (Qayaas)

It was a very sad day in the history of Punjab and music industry in general. Pakistanis are frustrated because they don’t have enough cathartic space. Cricket matches are not happening anymore and the only live action left is live music. If they keep on putting bans on leisure activities, people will definitely become suicidal.

(With additional reporting by Rafay Mahmood)

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Lahore's Christian community expresses concern over PA concert ban</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327050/lahores-christian-community-expresses-concern-over-pa-concert-ban</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327050/lahores-christian-community-expresses-concern-over-pa-concert-ban#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 12 16:55:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[aroosa.shaukat]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=327050</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Bishop of Lahore says ban is a violation of educational rights.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Bishop of Lahore, Dr Alexander John Malik has joined the chorus from artists and various sections of the civil society in expressing their concern over the resolution passed by the Punjab Assembly banning on musical concerts in all educational institutes.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Lahore Diocese, Church of Pakistan, he said that the ban will serve to hamper recreational activities for students.

Calling the ban a violation of educational rights, the Bishop said the ban will stand to violate opportunities for the cultural recreation of students. He also stressed that the implementation of the ban may force students to engage in 'negative activities' including the use of narcotics.]]>
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			<title>'Objectionable' concerts: Punjab Assembly reiterates stance but relents on new resolution</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/326998/objectionable-concerts-punjab-assembly-reiterates-stance-but-relents-on-new-resolution</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/326998/objectionable-concerts-punjab-assembly-reiterates-stance-but-relents-on-new-resolution#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 12 15:52:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[abdul.manan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=326998</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PPP’s Raja Riaz goes back on words; Speakers constitutes three-member committee to draft fresh resolution.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Punjab Assembly members have reiterated their support for a resolution passed earlier in the house, seeking a ban on ‘objectionable’ music concerts in academic institutions, but agreed to bring a fresh resolution on the matter. 

The resolution, introduced by PML-Q MPA Seemal Kamran on Tuesday, received severe criticism from members of civil society and media who said it would stifle cultural activities in Punjab.

At the session on Wednesday, which started at 11:15am, all members vowed that academic institutions will not be permitted to organise ‘objectionable’ and ‘vulgar’ concerts. Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal constituted a three-member committee to draft a new resolution. The panel comprises PML-Q Parliamentary Leader Chaudhry Zahiruddin, PPP’s Deputy Parliamentary Leader Shaukat Basra and Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah.

During the debate on Kamran’s resolution, Sheikh Alauddin, a member of the PML-Q Unification bloc, condemned the resolution. Speaking at a point of order, he requested that his counter-resolution be included out of turn by relaxing house rules. “What’s next? A resolution seeking a ban on wearing jeans in academic institutions?” he questioned. “Music is the culture of Punjab and should not be banned through any resolution.”

Iqbal asked him why he had not opposed the resolution at the time it was entertained and asked Sanaullah to respond.

Sanaullah replied that he had opposed the resolution and suggested that the word ‘objectionable’ be added, which was included in the resolution that was passed. “Media persons and critics should carefully read the resolution’s contents. Implementation of the resolution is not mandatory,” he argued, adding that obscene and vulgar events were already unlawful in academic institutions.

Zahiruddin agreed with Sanaullah and suggested that a new, amended resolution be brought before the house.

Surprisingly, PPP’s Raja Riaz, who leads the opposition in the house, also did an about-turn in the house and supported those dominant in the discussion. He had told reporters on Tuesday that the PPP will bring about a new resolution against the one on a music concert ban. He agreed that a fresh resolution should be presented but said that it should ban ‘objectionable’ and ‘vulgar’ music concerts. At one point, he along with other PPP MPAs staged a walkout, saying that the speaker was not allowing him to present his viewpoint on the resolution but eventually returned to the house.

Alauddin then protested and gave the house two options: withdraw its earlier resolution or bring a new one which does not include the word ‘objectionable’. “If the new resolution mentions that word, then it will become mandatory for an institute’s principal to seek permission from the culture department to organise the event. That is unacceptable,” he said.

PPP’s Azam Bukhari said that some anchorpersons were calling assembly members ‘brainless’, which should be condemned. The speaker agreed that this was reprehensible.

Free medicine deaths

The house then moved on to discuss the deaths from the fatal reaction of medicines that were handed out to patients free of cost by the Punjab Institute of Cardiology.

Riaz demanded the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who also held the portfolio of health ministry, over the negligence of his department in the matter. “Shahbaz should be summoned in the house to explain and apprise lawmakers on steps that his government is taking to deal with the situation.”

All members agree that the parliamentary health secretary will conduct a daily briefing in the house and Shahbaz will conclude the discussion over the fiasco.

Bills

Meanwhile, 14 bills that were returned to the house by Punjab Governor Latif Khosa were passed by the assembly after heated and detailed debate.

Opposition members objected that treasury members cannot directly move the bills in the house. They argued that according to assembly rules, the bills will have to be sent back to the relevant standing committees and then brought before the house.

But Sanaullah said that that procedure applies only to new bills. He said that since these bills were passed in the house before they were sent for the governor’s approval. Therefore, he said, bringing them back to the house required just a motion.

Opposition members then supported the governor’s objections over the bills and asked treasury members not to pass them until the provincial government receives a final notification from the 18th amendment implementation commission.

Sanaullah said that following the 18th amendment, the provinces can legislate on these matters. “The governor’s only objection is that these departments have not come under the Punjab government’s purview but the constitution states that they have been devolved.”

The bills were then passed by the assembly again and sent to the governor. The bills will automatically become acts even if the governor does not consent to them.

The following bills were passed again:

	The Injured Persons Medical Aid Bill 2011
	The Powers of Attorney Amendment Bill 2011
	The Administrator General’s Amendment Bill 2011
	The Specific Relief Amendment Bill 2011
	The Official Trustee Amendment Bill 2011
	The Defamation Amendment Bill 2011
	The Provincial Insolvency Amendment Bill 2011
	The Charitable and Religious Trust Amendment Bill 2011
	The Hindu Inheritance Removal of Disabilities Bill 2011
	The Antiquities Amendment Bill 2011
	The Disabled Persons Employment and Rehabilitation Amendment Bill 2011
	The Factories Amendment Bill 2011
	The Minimum Wages Amendment Bill 2011
	The Punjab Protection of Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Amendment Bill 2011

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>'Objectionable' concerts: Opposition walks out of Punjab Assembly session</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/326913/objectionable-concerts-opposition-walks-out-of-punjab-assembly-session</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/326913/objectionable-concerts-opposition-walks-out-of-punjab-assembly-session#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 12 08:53:28 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=326913</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PPP submits resolution for promotion of cultural activities, objects to concert ban resolution.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The opposition staged a walked out from the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday after opposition leader, Raja Riaz of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was denied permission to speak, Express News reported.

The PPP had submitted a resolution for the promotion of cultural activities in the assembly today. The resolution, which was submitted by PPP MPA Sajida Meer, objected to the resolution for a ban on ‘objectionable’ concerts at educational institutions.

The resolution stated that such bans did not ‘suit the 21st century’ and termed the concerts a ‘healthy activity’.

Seemal Kamran, who had moved the ban resolution, said that she opposed Meer’s resolution and said that nobody should promote ‘non-Shariah’ concerts. The MPA said that concerts should take place and the ban was for ‘objectionable’ ones.

Kamran said that those objecting the ban had not read the resolution carefully.

The Punjab Assembly, on Tuesday, had passed a resolution seeking a ban on organising ‘objectionable’ music concerts in private and public academic institutions. This move came weeks after three students were killed in a stampede at a concert in Lahore.]]>
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			<title>The strange logic of bans</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/326593/the-strange-logic-of-bans</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/326593/the-strange-logic-of-bans#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 12 22:29:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[mohammed.rizwan]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=326593</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Law Minister Sanaullah opposed the resolution on the grounds that it did not define which concerts should be banned]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Soon after the tragic incident of 9/11, a text message did the rounds here: What would the government have done if 9/11 had happened in Pakistan? Slap a ban on pillion riding.

Funny maybe, but also illustrative of a strange logic deeply embedded in our policy-makers. Yesterday in the Punjab Assembly, they demonstrated it again when Seemal Kamran of the PML-Q presented a resolution in the house calling for a ban on all concerts in public and private educational institutions. The background was a tragedy in Lahore two weeks ago, when three girl students from a private college lost their lives in a stampede that followed a music concert at the Alhamra Cultural Complex. The sponsor of the resolution was of the view that concerts were a waste of time and of no service to students, while also having the potential to become tragedies like the Lahore stampede.

Surprisingly, however, she did not speak a word against the management of the Alhamra Cultural Complex. The venue’s management had refused to open the main gate at the end of the concert, diverting the whole crowd towards a narrow lane exit. Their poor decision resulted in the stampede in which the young women were crushed.

Law Minister Rana Sanaullah opposed the resolution on the grounds that the resolution did not define which concerts should be banned. He said that concerts where national songs were played also would fall under the ban, which should not happen.

He too excluded any comment on the Alhamra management, which falls under his government’s jurisdiction. But he did point out that the concert was organised by a private college network whose owner also owns a leading TV station, and that the news channels had not pursued the story with their usual vigour, pointing to a nexus between private business and media.

In this point at least, the minister was on target. But in general, both Kamran and Sanaullah were way off the mark. The law minister chose not to blame the management of the premises (for obvious reasons) while the mover of the resolution sought a blanket ban on concerts, camouflaging the actual reasons for the tragedy. If we expanded upon the logic expounded in the resolution, we would come up with odd solutions to grave problems. Why not close down the Punjab Institute of Cardiology, where spurious drugs were distributed to patients? Why not lock up all houses in the city where dacoities take place? Why not ban our children from leaving the house, since almost all kidnappings take place outdoors?

In the end, the law minister added an even stranger dimension to the resolution. He said he would not oppose the resolution if the word “objectionable” was added, so that only the “objectionable” concerts would be banned. Who decides which concert is objectionable? What was objectionable about the concert where the tragedy struck? Was the stampede caused by the objectionable nature of the concert?

Somehow, that’s the way logic works in this part of the world.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Punjab Assembly: House passes resolution to ban ‘objectionable’ concerts</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/326567/punjab-assembly-house-passes-resolution-to-ban-%e2%80%98objectionable%e2%80%99-concerts</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/326567/punjab-assembly-house-passes-resolution-to-ban-%e2%80%98objectionable%e2%80%99-concerts#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 12 21:51:51 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[abdul.manan]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=326567</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Members demand that MPAs be issued blue passports, free of charge.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Punjab Assembly passed a resolution on Tuesday seeking a ban on organising ‘objectionable’ music concerts in private and public education institutions.


The resolution was among a total of eight presented in the House. Five were passed, two were pended and one was disposed off.

The session started at 11.55am, with a delay of almost two hours from its scheduled time. Parliamentary Secretary for Health Dr Saeed Elahi answered members’ questions about his department.

When Seemal Kamran – a Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) member – moved the resolution against holding concerts in schools and colleges, Deputy Speaker Rana Mashhood asked Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan if the treasury members opposed the resolution. Sanaullah replied in the affirmative, after which Kamran was asked to argue in favour of her resolution.

“Pakistan is an Islamic Republic. Allowing concerts in educational institutions is against our morals,” Kamran said. “When I was in college, we used to get into trouble for keeping long or painted nails. Institutions have now done away with that kind of discipline in the name of ‘moderation’,” she said.

The MPA said that such concerts were nothing more than “publicity tools” for educational institutions. Referring to the incident at Alhamra Cultural Complex in which three students died earlier this month, she asked the members to pass the resolution “for our children’s safe future”.

At this point, Sanaullah said that the three girls had died in a stampede after a concert that had been organised by a group of private colleges. “Had the event been organised by a public college, the media would’ve blamed the government,” the law minister said, adding that it was “unfortunate” that the media had downplayed the incident “because the man who owns that group of colleges also owns a news channel”. He criticised the media for setting a “precedent”. “[This means that] anyone who owns a newspaper or a TV channel can cover up any misconduct,” he remarked.

He then said that the government could not impose a blanket ban on concerts in educational institutions because there were concerts where bands sing ‘harmless’ songs. He said he would support the resolution if the phrase “ban on… all musical concerts” was amended to “ban on… objectionable musical concerts”.

Kamran agreed and the resolution was then passed unanimously.

Speaking to reporters later, outside the Punjab Assembly, Pakistan Peoples’ Party’s Deputy Parliamentary Leader Shaukat Mehmood Basra said that the resolution should not have been passed because no one had defined the terms ‘objectionable’.

Blue passports

The House also passed a resolution that demands that the federal government issue blue [official] passports, free of charge, to members of the provincial assemblies like it does to members of the National Assembly and Senate. The resolution was moved by PML-Q’s Samia Amjad on behalf of her colleague Samina Khawar Hayat.

The House also passed the resolution presented by the PML-Q Parliamentary Leader Chaudhry Zaheeruddin Khan. The resolution demands that the federal government issue funds for installation of tube wells in areas with saline water in the Punjab, as part of Pakistan’s Salinity Control and Reclamation Projects (SCARP).

Two other resolutions were passed. One was moved by PML-Q’s Chaudhry Aamir Sultan Cheema, who asked that waiting rooms be constructed in all public hospitals. The other, introduced by Humaira Awais Shahid (also from PML-Q), supports the formulation of a comprehensive policy on controlling population.

Pending resolutions

Debate on a resolution that seeks a ban on the screening of Bollywood films, moved by PML-Q’s Amna Ulfat, was put on hold after Sanaullah said that after the Punjab government was in the process of formulating legislation on the matter.

Another resolution was pended after several members recommended amendments to it. Presented by Ziaullah Shah, the resolution demands that all graveyards have boundary walls. It also seeks the abolishment of black magic and kafan theft.

The session was adjourned till Wednesday.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25th, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>Punjab Assembly passes resolution to ban ‘objectionable’ concerts</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/326425/punjab-assembly-passes-resolution-to-ban-%e2%80%98objectionable%e2%80%99-concerts</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/326425/punjab-assembly-passes-resolution-to-ban-%e2%80%98objectionable%e2%80%99-concerts#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 12 12:02:39 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[abdul.manan]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Punjab government’s spokesperson Senator Pervaiz Rasheed rules out any ban on organising such events in the...]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Punjab Assembly has passed a resolution seeking a ban on organising ‘objectionable’ music concerts in private and public academic institutions.

The move comes weeks after three students were killed in a stampede at a concert in Lahore.

The resolution is among eight presented on Tuesday, which has been specified as a private members’ day. Five resolutions were passed, two are pending while one was disposed off.

Seemal Kamran, an MPA from the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, moved the resolution against concerts. Deputy Speaker Rana Mashhood asked Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan if the treasury members opposed the resolution.

Sanaullah replied in the affirmative, after which Kamran was asked to argue the merits of her resolution.

“Pakistan is an Islamic republic and permitting music concerts to take place in public and private educational institutions is against the morality and ethics of Islamic culture,” Kamran said. “When I was in college, our teachers questioned us over [inane things like] long and coloured nails. These days, institutions have done away with this kind of discipline in the name of ‘moderation’.”

She asked the house which rules allowed such concerts to be organised. “Academic institutions are using these concerts as opportunities to publicise their branches.”

Citing the unfortunate deaths earlier this month, she demanded that the resolution be passed for the sake of a secure future for our children.

After hearing her arguments, Sanaullah said that the government cannot impose a blanket ban on concerts as many of them include national songs etc. Therefore, he suggested, the word ‘objectionable’ be added to the resolution and lent his support if that amendment was made.

The resolution was then unanimously passed after Kamran agreed to Sanaullah’s suggestion.

During the debate on the resolution, the law minister claimed that the media had downplayed the incident where three girls died in a concert organised by a private college, which is owned by the same group that runs a popular nationwide news channel. “If the same incident had occurred in a concert organised by a government college, media would have been severe in its criticism. The media has set a precedent that if someone wants to smoothly run a business, they can conceal misconduct by also running a channel or newspaper on the side.”

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters outside the Punjab Assembly, Pakistan Peoples’ Party’s Deputy Parliamentary Leader Shaukat Mehmood Basra said that the resolution should not have been passed as no one had defined the word ‘objectionable’ or what is in the ‘national interest’.

Meanwhile, Punjab government’s spokesperson Senator Pervaiz Rasheed has ruled out any ban on cultural activities in the province.

“Assembly resolutions are respected and we are aware [of the new resolution],” Rasheed said. “According to them, concerts should be banned because some students lost their lives in a stampede at a concert in the past. But, just like we don’t stop organising Muharram processions despite attacks, we can’t bar anyone from organising concerts.”

Blue passports

The house also passed a resolution seeking a blue passport Gratis for members of provincial assemblies along the lines of those issued to members of the National Assembly and Senate.

The resolution, which was moved by PML-Q’s Samia Amjad on behalf of her party colleague Samina Khawar Hayat, seeks that the federal government issue the passports.

Meanwhile, PML-Q Parliamentary Leader Chaudhry Zahiruddin Khan moved a resolution that recommended that federal government issue funds for SCARP projects in Punjab. Under the project, the federal government has to issue funds for installation of tube wells in areas where water is saline. The house approved this resolution as well.

Two other resolutions were passed. One resolution, moved by PML-Q’s Chaudhry Aamir Sultan Cheema, sought establishment of waiting rooms in all public hospitals. The other, introduced by Humaira Awais Shahid (also from PML-Q), supported the formulation of a comprehensive policy on controlling population.

Pending resolutions

Debate on a resolution, moved PML-Q’s Amna Ulfat and seeking a ban on the screening of Bollywood films, was put on hold as Sanaullah said that after the 18th amendment, the subject was of provincial significance and the Punjab government is working on legislation on the matter.

Another resolution was introduced by Ziaullah Shah, seeking construction of boundary walls around all graveyards and abolishment of black magic and kafan theft, was also pending as many members presented amendments for it. MPA Samia Amjad said that there should be a law sentencing black magicians to death while Shahid said that they should be banned from advertising in newspapers.

The session was adjourned till Wednesday.

House resolutions

A simple resolution is a legislative proposal that addresses matters entirely within the prerogative of one house or the other. It requires neither the approval of the other house nor the signature of the President, and it does not have the force of law. Most simple resolutions concern the rules of one house. They are also used to express the sentiments of a single house.]]>
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