PA session: Opp moves resolution on Kashmir solidarity

Five resolutions deferred due to law minister’s absence

LAHORE:

Opposition members in the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday submitted a resolution, expressing solidarity with the people of Indian-held Kashmir and condemned Indian aggression.

The resolution was moved by Leader of the Opposition Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed and Sardar Vickas Hassan Mokal of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).

“We condemn the Indian aggression in occupied Kashmir. We must show our full solidarity with the people of Kashmir,” said Rasheed.

“We want the international community to play its role and find a resolution to the dispute in accordance with United Nations resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people,” said Mokal.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Mokal said that the resolution had been submitted in the assembly secretariat. “The opposition also talked about it on the floor of the House. The Kashmir Day is drawing near. I will request the speaker to allow me to read out the resolution in the House out-of-turn. I hope that it will be passed unanimously. It is the privilege of the speaker to let a member table a resolution out of turn,” he added.

The business of the house was affected on Tuesday by Law Minister Rana Sanaullah’s absence. It was the private members’ day. Several resolutions could not be taken up due to the law minister’s absence. Five resolutions scheduled to be tabled in the House had to be deferred.

During the question hour, questions related to Forestry, Fisheries, Wildlife and industries departments were taken up.

Industries Minister Chaudhry Muhammad Shafique and Forests and Wildlife Minister Malik Muhammad Asif answered the questions.

The House was told that the Government Printing Press Punjab’s profit in year 2012-13 was Rs90.39 million. “However, it dropped to Rs75.08 million in year 2013-14,” the House was informed.

The members were informed that the Lahore Zoo had earned Rs110 million in 2013-14.

However, no funds were spent on the zoo under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) during the period.

The House was informed that between 2012 and March 2015, a total of 7,564 challans were submitted in courts for illegal hunting of wild animals and birds. “Rs12 million was collected in fines for the illegal hunts,” the members were informed. The session was adjourned till Wednesday.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2016.