Lawmakers question law passed unanimously

Minister says Tahaffuz-e-Bunyaad-e-Islam Bill not sent to governor

Our Correspondent August 08, 2020

LAHORE:

Lawmakers from both the treasury and opposition benches have raised objections on ‘The Punjab Tahaffuz-e-Bunyaad-e-Islam Bill 2020’ passed unanimously by the provincial assembly.

The lawmakers from both sides had claimed it a big achievement after the bill was unanimously passed but on Friday they appeared blaming each other on the matter.

Some members claimed it was a conspiracy against the government while opposition lawmakers said there was need to take into confidence all schools of thought before approving the bill.

The opposition demanded withdrawal of the bill, while treasury members claimed they had been kept in the dark.

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Moreover, PTI’s Syed Yawar Abbas Bukhari tendered apology before the House over his stance to second the bill.

Following the objections by both sides, Law Minister Raja Basharat requested them to always go through the legislation before attending the assembly sessions.

PML-N’s Pir Ashraf Rasool claimed that no one had been taken on board regarding the law. The said the government had opened a new front through the move.

PTI’s Yawar Bukhari claimed that they had been kept in dark and the situation would get worse because of the bill. He said the assembly could not ask anyone about his or her school of thought.

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PPP’s Syed Hassan Murtaza said it was astonishing that his name was included in the committee but he was unaware of it. He said he had not been informed that the government intended to prepare or present the bill in the assembly.

The law minister said the objections had been received after the bill was passed. He said the government had not sent the bill to the governor for its final approval. Amendments would be made to the bill after getting opinion from Ulema and reservations would be addressed, the provincial minister assured the House.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2020.