PA passes resolution against Indian aggression

LAHORE
The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution condemning Indian aggression on the Working Boundary and appealing to the federal government to raise the human rights violations being perpetrated at the international level.
The resolution submitted by PML-Q MPA Khadija Umar expressed the outrage over the firing by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on the boundary leading to deaths of civilians. It declared this to be a violation of human rights and demonstrated solidarity with Pakistan Army in its fight to preserve the country’s national security. The resolution urged the federal government to raise India’s acts of terrorism and violation of human rights on the world stage.
The House passed another five resolutions on Tuesday calling for financial entitlements for families of those killed in terrorist attacks according to their economic conditions, assistance to those affected by floods in South Punjab, sale of halal meat in markets at fixed government rates and a building to be named after late Maharaja Ranjit Singh. A resolution submitted by PTI MPA Nabela Hakim Ali Khan calling for an end to entry tests for medical colleges and universities was ruled pending by the PA Speaker after Law Minister Rana Sanaullah stated that a debate should take place in the House over the merits of these tests.
PTI MPA Mian Aslam Iqbal’s resolution for financial support to families of civilians killed by terrorists according to their financial condition was passed after it was amended by the Law Department Punjab. It had earlier called for financial entitlements for political personalities, members of assemblies and cabinet ministers killed in terrorist attacks at par with security forces. The resolution was drafted in the light of the death of Former Home Minister Punjab Col. (retd) Shuja Khanzada in Attock last month.
Speaking on the occasion, the PTI MPA informed the House that on September 5 and 6 he had been encountered by armed gunmen at his Dera in the city. An application had been filed with the police but so far no arrests had taken place, said Iqbal. Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, however, promised that the government would take notice of this case and make all-out efforts to arrest the perpetrators.
Earlier in the session, Parliamentary Secretary Irrigation Khalid Mehmood Jajja accepted that lining of water canals was yet to take place at provincial level. His counterpart, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Ilyas Ansari meanwhile, explained to the dissatisfaction of angry opposition members that the scrutiny process for NGOs receiving funds from the government was stringent.
Law Minister Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday stated that the issue of increase in salaries of members and assembly staff would be taken up and explained that arrangements for Local Government elections had taken time. The minister also assured a visibly angry Opposition Leader PTI MPA Mehmood-ur-Rasheed that a financial package for farmers in the province would soon be announced. The assembly session was prorogued by the PA Speaker.