Punjab Assembly debates case of slain lawmakers' families

Resolution demanded privileges similar to families of martyred security personnel

LAHORE:

A long-drawn discussion during Tuesday’s Punjab Assembly session over a resolution proposing compensation for families of politicians who lost their lives in terrorism incidents had to be put on hold after treasury and opposition benches failed to reach a consensus.

The resolution moved by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) Mian Aslam Iqbal demanded that families of politicians, lawmakers and ministers who lost their lives in acts of terror be granted privileges similar to those meant for families of members of martyred security forces.



It also called for officially bestowing the title of Shaheed (martyr) on all those who had lost their lives in acts of terror. The resolution condemned terrorist acts across the country and praised institutions and individuals fighting terrorism. During a condolence reference last week for slain home minister Col (r) Shuja Khanzada, Iqbal had said that he would bring in a resolution calling for monetary entitlements for families of the victims of terrorism.

Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said the government was not opposed to the use of Shaheed (martyr) for victims of terrorism. “However, the part about privileges would create complications. Treating politicians who sacrifice their lives in the fight against terrorism better than other citizens in similar cases will result in a complicated situation that can cause resentment among the public,” he said. The law minister said that the issue should be dealt with holistically.

Iqbal pressed on with his resolution, insisting that the objective was to ensure financial security for families of the politicians from a “modest financial background”. His remarks angered Sheikh Alauddin who said such statements were an insult to the House and its members. “We need to speak for all those who cannot speak for themselves. The House needs to stand behind its members,” Iqbal said.

The chair then kept the resolution pending, urging all parties to deliberate it further.

MPA Mazhar Abbas said the current law and order situation was not satisfactory and asked for issuing weapons licences to lawmakers. “The slain home minister was not targeted due to personal enmity but because he represented the province,” he said.

Six resolutions had been on agenda as Tuesday was the private members’ day. Five of those were disposed of: three owing to absence of the movers and two for already having been addressed by the government.

A resolution calling for ending monopoly of certain pharmaceutical companies over the production and sale of medicines was disposed of after the law minister informed the House that it was being addressed under the Punjab Drugs Act, 1967. The resolution calling for financial aid for treatment and support of Seraiki poet Shakir Shujabadi was disposed of after the law minister said that the government had ordered a monthly grant Rs25,000 for him. The issue of land-grab in Dera Ghazi Khan was debated on a point of order raised by Sardar Javed Akhtar. The law minister said that an operation had been launched against land grabbers.

Leader of the Opposition Mehmoodur Rasheed called for out-of-turn consideration of a resolution condemning the gas price hike. Rasheed and Aslam Iqbal criticised the House for delaying an important issue.

Later, the opposition leader submitted a resolution in this regard in the assembly secretariat. It is expected to be tabled in the House on Wednesday (today).

The issue of protesting doctors blocking The Mall during the session was taken up by Dr Nosheen Hamid. The deputy speaker said that the matter would be looked into later.

During the question hour, Minister for Zakat and Ushr Nadeem Kamran stated that the department provided grants for only those madrassas that were registered and had obtained clearance from the Home Department.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd,  2015.