PA passes Tahafuz-e-Bunyad-e-Islam bill

Opposition stages walkout after legislators not allowed to speak

LAHORE:

Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervez Elahi gave a ruling on Wednesday for constituting a committee to ensure strict implementation of ‘The Punjab Tahaffuz-e-Bunyad-e-Islam Bill 2020’, which both treasury and opposition lawmakers passed unanimously.

The opposition, after tearing the assembly’s agenda copies, walked out of the House proceedings on further government business after its legislators were not allowed to speak. The opposition lawmakers claimed that the rules of procedure were violated while introducing the rest of the bills. They claimed that neither they were informed in-time nor given time to submit their contribution for any amendment.

As The Punjab Tahaffuz-e-Bunyad-e-Islam Bill 2020 was unanimously passed, the PA speaker made clear that the government’s work was not only confined to its preparation, adding that the government would have to ensure its strict implementation.

He said, “The committee will be headed by the Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat to ensure implementation.”

He stated that a bill of the ‘same nature’ should be passed by all provincial assemblies. “I will also visit National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser to take this mission ahead. I am thankful to all treasury and opposition lawmakers who passed this bill and worked in its preparation.”

The law minister claimed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government was working to eliminate sectarianism and disharmony in the country.

The House proceedings started with a lapse of one hour and 55 minutes.

During the question answer session, the lawmakers put queries about Home Department to which Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat responded.

On a point, the speaker applauded the government’s Ehsaas programme which, according to him, was helpful for the poor citizens.

He added that those who used to beg at streets and squares could get financial assistance from the programme, if they had their CNICs.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2020.