PA sings praises of army’s role in combating terror
Legislators offer Fateha for those who laid down their lives for the country
Pakistan Army soldiers. PHOTO: AFP / FILE
LAHORE:
Dispelling the impression of the opposition benches that the government had any differences with the armed forces, the Punjab Assembly on Thursday made it clear that the treasury respected the role of the military in protecting the country.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) legislator and Chief Whip Rana Muhammad Arshad reacted over the reservation of opposition leader Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed at the time when house proceedings started and Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbqal Khan called for the offering of Fateha over the recent deaths of PML-N legislator Chaudhry Liaquat Ali Khan and Major Ishaq.
Subsequently, the opposition leader also suggested the house include those in their prayers who were martyred in Kashmir due to the brutality of Indian forces.
Major martyred in clash with TTP militants
The opposition leader, speaking on a point of order, said levelling allegations against the armed forces, lashing out at them and dragging them into politics may not only affect their performance, but also create doubts.
“Our armed forces are facing several challenges. The sacrifices of the armed forces for Pakistan can never be forgotten.
This house pays tribute to Major Ishaq and other martyrs of the armed forces who laid down their lives for the protection of our country and to make Pakistan stronger,” he said.
Arshad said the sacrifice of Major Ishaq protected the nation of Pakistan and gave a strong message to terrorists that they would not let their heinous motives be successful. “The initiative of Zarb-e-Azb was taken by former PM Nawaz Sharif on June 16, 2014 in the National Assembly to root out terrorists and no one can forget the sacrifices of martyrs Major Ishaq, Captain Hasnain, Major Junaid and others who fought the enemy with courage,” he remarked.
Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan said the whole nation stood with the armed forces. “We are on the same page, with the mercy of God, over the issue to eliminate terrorism from the country,” he said.
Dr Farzana of the treasury benches also paid tribute to the armed forces.
‘Pak Army will foil nefarious designs of enemy’
Maintaining the past traditions of the Punjab Assembly, the house proceedings started at 5:15pm while the scheduled time was 2:00pm. As the question hour almost ended, Nabila Hakim Ali pointed to the lack of quorum after which the bells were rung for five minutes. Finally, the house was adjourned till 9:00am on Friday (today) as the government failed to show the required number of its legislators.
During the question hour, a debate was started over the salaries of the presidents of the Bank of Punjab and Sindh Bank when PPP legislator Faiza Ahmad Malik asked a supplementary question over the criteria for the selection of a president for a bank.
However, Parliamentary Secretary for Finance Department Rana Babar could not give a satisfactory reply. When she asked about the salary of a bank president, Babar said the president of The Bank of Punjab was drawing Rs5.6 million per month which was less than the presidents of other banks.
She asked the finance secretary if anyone was drawing such a huge salary from any department running under the control of government. Responding to her query, Babar said the salary was being paid in accordance with market trend and bank’s performance.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2017.
Dispelling the impression of the opposition benches that the government had any differences with the armed forces, the Punjab Assembly on Thursday made it clear that the treasury respected the role of the military in protecting the country.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) legislator and Chief Whip Rana Muhammad Arshad reacted over the reservation of opposition leader Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed at the time when house proceedings started and Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbqal Khan called for the offering of Fateha over the recent deaths of PML-N legislator Chaudhry Liaquat Ali Khan and Major Ishaq.
Subsequently, the opposition leader also suggested the house include those in their prayers who were martyred in Kashmir due to the brutality of Indian forces.
Major martyred in clash with TTP militants
The opposition leader, speaking on a point of order, said levelling allegations against the armed forces, lashing out at them and dragging them into politics may not only affect their performance, but also create doubts.
“Our armed forces are facing several challenges. The sacrifices of the armed forces for Pakistan can never be forgotten.
This house pays tribute to Major Ishaq and other martyrs of the armed forces who laid down their lives for the protection of our country and to make Pakistan stronger,” he said.
Arshad said the sacrifice of Major Ishaq protected the nation of Pakistan and gave a strong message to terrorists that they would not let their heinous motives be successful. “The initiative of Zarb-e-Azb was taken by former PM Nawaz Sharif on June 16, 2014 in the National Assembly to root out terrorists and no one can forget the sacrifices of martyrs Major Ishaq, Captain Hasnain, Major Junaid and others who fought the enemy with courage,” he remarked.
Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan said the whole nation stood with the armed forces. “We are on the same page, with the mercy of God, over the issue to eliminate terrorism from the country,” he said.
Dr Farzana of the treasury benches also paid tribute to the armed forces.
‘Pak Army will foil nefarious designs of enemy’
Maintaining the past traditions of the Punjab Assembly, the house proceedings started at 5:15pm while the scheduled time was 2:00pm. As the question hour almost ended, Nabila Hakim Ali pointed to the lack of quorum after which the bells were rung for five minutes. Finally, the house was adjourned till 9:00am on Friday (today) as the government failed to show the required number of its legislators.
During the question hour, a debate was started over the salaries of the presidents of the Bank of Punjab and Sindh Bank when PPP legislator Faiza Ahmad Malik asked a supplementary question over the criteria for the selection of a president for a bank.
However, Parliamentary Secretary for Finance Department Rana Babar could not give a satisfactory reply. When she asked about the salary of a bank president, Babar said the president of The Bank of Punjab was drawing Rs5.6 million per month which was less than the presidents of other banks.
She asked the finance secretary if anyone was drawing such a huge salary from any department running under the control of government. Responding to her query, Babar said the salary was being paid in accordance with market trend and bank’s performance.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2017.