Amendments related to offences and penalties in the Punjab Arms Ordinance 1965 and the Punjab Prohibition of Expressing Matters on Walls Act 1995 were introduced. PHOTO: ZAHOORUL HAQ/EXPRESS
Two ordinances and amendments to two Acts were introduced at the Punjab Assembly on the second day of the current session on Wednesday.
Several lawmakers once again voiced reservations about the absence of ministers and parliamentary secretaries. The chief minister was urged to take notice of the issue.
The session, chaired by Deputy Secretary Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani, started after an hour’s delay. As many as 60 members were present at the start of the session.
Amendments related to offences and penalties in the Punjab Arms Ordinance 1965 and the Punjab Prohibition of Expressing Matters on Walls Act 1995 were introduced in the House.
The Punjab Security of Vulnerable Establishments Ordinance and the Punjab Information of Temporary Residents Ordinance were also introduced.
Security of Vulnerable Establishments Ordinance calls for provision of security arrangements around vulnerable establishments to prevent acts of terrorism and other crimes.
It calls for formation of a security advisory committee in each sub-division of the district chaired by the sub-divisional police officer. The committee would be mandated to issue warnings and partially or completely seal vulnerable establishments if they failed to comply with security guidelines. It prescribes a penalty of six months imprisonment and a fine ranging from Rs50, 000 and Rs100,000. It also calls for repealing of the Punjab Shops and Establishments (Security) Act 1999.
The Punjab Information of Temporary Residents Ordinance calls for sharing information on tenants and temporary residents to develop a database as part of counter-terrorism efforts. The ordinance says information about temporary residents should be communicated to police by the landlords.
The ordinance prohibits use of hostels by anyone other than students or staff members without prior written permission of the manager in charge of the facility. It also calls for penalising offenders with an imprisonment up to six months and fine ranging between Rs10,000 and Rs100,000.
The ordinances and amendments were referred to the Standing Committee on Home Affairs. Reports were sought on these in two months.
Lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with answers to questions regarding Transport and the Planning and Development departments.
Planning and Development Parliamentary Secretary Ahmad Karim Qaswar was quizzed by Opposition benches on funds allegedly blocked for MPAs by the government.
MPA Sardar Shahabud Din asked whether the P&D Department had provided Rs20 million to MPAs from the ruling party.
Qaswar denied the assertion, saying no funds were released to individual MPAs. He said development funds were released to commissioners and DCOs. MPA Sardar Vickas Hassan Mokal also raised similar concerns. The parliamentary secretary maintained his stance, adding that funds from the Annual Development Programme were spent by respective departments.
The parliamentary secretary for Transport Muhammad Nawaz Chohan told the House that decrease in fuel prices had led to reduction in transport fares. He said bus stands were being monitored and action was being taken against those overcharging passengers.
Tahir Sindhu, from the treasury, said it was common knowledge that bus fares had not been reduced. Answering a query regarding number of buses being run on routes in northern Lahore, the parliamentary secretary said of the 1,370 buses on 53 routes in the city, 116 buses were operating on 11 routes in northern Lahore, adding 500 more buses would be inducted in the fleet soon.
MPA Bao Akhtar claimed that less than 50 buses were operational in northern Lahore.
The issue of absence of ministers and parliamentary secretaries was raised on a point of order by MPA Raheela Khadim. It was later taken up by other members. MPAs Sardar Shahabud Din and Malik Ahmed Khan also voiced similar reservations. Deputy Speaker Gorchani directed Labour Minister Raja Ashfaq to bring this to the notice of the chief minister.
MPA Sheikh Alauddin pointed out expenses incurred by members of the House under medical care, asking if there were any checks on the funds being used. Gorchani asked the MPA to discuss the matter with him on Thursday in his chambers.
Allauddin also pointed out the low attendance.
“If it weren’t for women MPs, this House would not continue for more than 10 minutes,” he said.
The session will continue on Thursday at 10am.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 12th, 2015.
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