Govt faces ‘embarrassing’ setback in NA

ISLAMABAD:

In a historic moment in the National Assembly, the opposition on Tuesday defeated the treasury lawmakers, as the latter’s attempt to prevent a PML-N MNA from presenting a bill was thwarted.

The government opposed the introduction of a bill by PML-N's Javed Hasnain that called for a candidate not contesting polls on another party’s ticket for seven years – meaning it barred them from changing their election symbol for the duration.

A total of 117 opposition members voted in its favour and 104 MNAs belonging to the government cast their vote against it.

The PML-N MNA was later allowed to present the bill. The party’s senior leader Ayaz Sadiq said the government had suffered a massive defeat and it should resign after that.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted that he congratulated the joint opposition for yet another defeat dealt to the government in the National Assembly.

PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb told the media in parliament that the government was dealt a defeat in the National Assembly despite its preparations for the session.

Several bills were introduced during the proceedings, including a constitutional amendment bill to change the procedure for appointment of judges of the higher judiciary and another one to amend criminal law to prevent crimes against children.

The proceedings were presided over by Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri.

Moreover, 12 private members' bills introduced in the assembly session were referred to the relevant committees for deliberation.

Read more: Seven bills passed in NA amid agitation

The bills introduced in the House included the International Institute of Science, Arts and Technology Bill, 2021; the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (Amendment in Article 63-A); the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (Amendment in Articles- 175-A, 177 and 182); the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the National Commission for Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (Amendment in Article 168);  the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (Amendment in Article- 62); the Pakistan Environmental Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Microfinance Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the ICT Rights of Persons with Disability (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and the Islamabad Women University Bill, 2021.

The House rejected a motion for consideration of the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 while a bill- the Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2020- was passed by the House.

The House passed three motions for consideration of as many bills in the joint sitting of parliament. These bills included the Al-Karam International Institute Bill, 2020; the Islamabad Capital Territory

Domestic Workers Bill, 2021 and the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

MNA Mohsin Dawar pointed out that a PTI activist was murdered in Malakand a day earlier and the interior ministry should investigate the “target killing”.

He added that a player was targeted in North Waziristan two days ago and the wave of terrorism had not stopped.

“Today, the parliament has been left ineffective as its previous two sittings were adjourned over lack of quorum.”

Dawar also demanded a briefing on the role Pakistan had played in Afghanistan.

The opposition lawmakers, including PML-N MNAs, stood up on their seats to welcome PPP’s Khursheed Shah, who arrived in the National Assembly for the first time after his release from jail.
PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal noted that Lahore was under severe attack from dengue.

“Medicines have run out from Lahore city. People are running from pole to pole to buy sugar and Panadol. They are dying of dengue while the rulers are busy listening to music,” he added.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi welcomed the Azerbaijan delegation to the country.

“Azerbaijan has supported Pakistan at the international level and we will stand by its people in every difficult time,” he added.

“Pakistanis are with the people of Azerbaijan.”

Amjad Ali Khan introduced the International Institute for Science, Arts and Technology Bill 2021.
PPP MNA Abdul Qadir Mandokhail introduced the constitutional amendment bill to change the procedure for the appointment of judges.

The government did not oppose the bill and it was referred to the relevant committee.
PML-N’s Mehnaz Akbar Aziz introduced the criminal law amendment bill to prevent crimes against children. That bill too was referred to the relevant committee.

PPP’s Shazia Marri introduced a bill to amend the National Commission for Human Rights Act. The bill was referred to the relevant committee as there was no opposition from the government.

The bill for the establishment of Al-Karam Institute was sent to the joint session after the Senate did not approve it within 90 days.

The motion to send the anti-corruption amendment bill to the joint session was passed.

A bill to amend the Civil Servants Act 1973 was introduced and it was passed.

PTI’s Ali Nawaz Awan introduced a bill for the setting up of the Islamabad Women's University. It was referred to the relevant standing committee.

Also read: Opposition displeased with PTI's hastily summoned NA session

MNA James Iqbal introduced a bill to increase penalties for desecrating and damaging places of worship.

The government did not oppose the bill and it referred to the relevant committee.

PML-N’s Ali Gohar Khan introduced a constitutional amendment bill to change the procedure for the appointment of the auditor general of Pakistan.

Asma Qadeer, a PTI MNA, introduced a bill to increase penalties for harassing women on social media.
When the result of the oral referendum was challenged, voting took place in the House.

The deputy speaker adjourned the sitting without completing the agenda until Wednesday (today).