LAHORE - Punjab Assembly on Friday appreciated the federal government decision to start peace talks with the Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP) by unanimously adopting a joint resolution in favour of the peace process.
The House endorses the dialogue process for the sake of peace in the county, read the resolution moved by opposition leader in the house Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed with the consent of Law Minister Rana Sanaullah.
Treasury member Sheikh Allaudin wanted some amendment in the resolution, and asked the opposition leader, who belongs to PTI, that why his party did not bring the same resolution in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly where they are in power. But, the Speaker did not allow Mr Sheikh to speak to avert controversy. The assembly then passed resolution unanimously.
Talking about an adjournment motion, the opposition leader raised the issue of discrimination with the opposition members in regard of development funds, which have been released only to treasury benches for different schemes in their constituencies.
On that, Rana Sanaullah asked Mehmood to meet with the chief minister and inform him about their development projects or schemes. He said that the government would cooperate with them in this regard.
However, the opposition leader refused the offer saying meeting with CM for their due right would be an insult to the mandate of opposition members as they also were elected representatives. He said the CM should come in the House and listen to their problems and redress those.
A treasury member of the ruling PML-N from Sheikhupura, Arif Sandhela told the House that it was strange for him that how the opposition leader was refusing to meet with CM for funds while he had secretly begged to Shahbaz Sharif in London for the same purpose. However, the opposition did not respond on this.
Law Minister Sanaullah laid two separate bills: Lahore Garrison University Bill 2014 and Punjab Development of Cities (Amendment) Ordinance 2014, which seeks accreditation to the Lahore Garrison University. The varsity already has its two campuses at Sarfraz Rafique Road and Walton Road Lahore.
The first bill proposes imprisonment for a term of seven years and fine of Rs500,000 for any person on the offence of draining any dangerous chemical in any drain or public land. Later, the Speaker adjourned the session until Monday 3am.