ISLAMABAD -  The debate on tragic incident of Kasur dominated the Wednesday’s National Assembly session, as opposition strongly criticised the Punjab government for failing to trace the culprit despite passing eight days of the happening.

The atmosphere in the house turned gloomy while debating the tragedy happened in Kasur district where a little girl was sexually abused and then killed in a brutal manner. Having tears in their eyes and with chocked voices, lawmakers, especially the female, could not control their emotions while talking on the issue.

Condemning the tragedy, PTI’s dissident MNA Mussarat Zeb said, “It seems all the members sitting in the house are responsible for this incident.

We are almost unable to make legislation, as we feel difficulties for doing so,” she said and could not control her emotions. Zeb was interested in making legislation on minors’ issue by introducing a bill the other day (Tuesday) but the house abruptly adjourned the proceedings due to lack of quorum.

Though the MNAs from government and opposition kept asking each other not to indulge in point-scoring over the sad incident, yet they also talked about deteriorating law and order situation of each other’s areas.

Parliamentary leader Afzal Dhandala, concluding the debate, admitted that the culprits of the Kasur tragedy could not be traced so far.

“Unfortunately the culprits have not been arrested,” he said, adding, politics should not be done on such kind of incidents. “Punjab government is making efforts to arrest them,” he said.

PML-N’s Shaista Pervaiz Malik, in an emotional tone, said there should not be politics on this issue. “We need to think above party lines and deal with such incidents,” she said, adding that the Punjab government was making all-out efforts to arrest the culprits.

Aijaz Jhakrani from PPP said the Punjab government had failed to arrest culprits even after eight days. He also made mockery of the Punjab police for its ‘inefficiency’.

Shahida Akhtar from JUI-F came up with a proposal that there should be a DNA test of the police official having resemblance with the sketch of suspect.

Lal Chand from PTI said panic gripped the area after the sad incident so the culprit must be arrested as soon as possible.

Shahida Rehmani and Dr Fauzia Hameed stressed the need for stringent legislation and effective implementation of laws to prevent such incidents in the future.

Sahibzada Yaqoob urged the government to take steps to discourage such incidents in future. The house, however, after long discussion did not pass any resolution over this incident.

The opposition side, with the start of proceedings, pointed out lack of required strength which led to suspension of the house for half an hour. PTI’s Amjad Ali Khan pointed out lack of required quorum. “There is no minister in the house and treasury benches’ lawmakers are also in short strength,” said Amjad Khan and dropped a proposal that the expenditure of today’s proceedings should be cut down from salaries of ministers.

Earlier, the house also witnessed an interesting situation when Minister of State Rana Afzal opted to give reply of a question in the English language.

Azal, during question-hour, read out a statement in English for the facilitation of group of American visitors sitting in the gallery. “I will speak in English so that our guests can also understand it,” he said, inviting criticism from opposition.

Dr Shireen Mazari from PTI and others asked him to give reply in Urdu language. “For the benefit of visitors you (state minister) should not speak in other language,” she said. Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi intervened and said that both languages (Urdu and English) are permissible in the house.

Ali Hasan Gilani from treasury benches, on a point of order, asked the chair to give seat to Rana Muhammad Afzal, Minister of State for Finance Division in front rows, where former finance minister Ishaq Dar used to sit.

Responding to a call attention notice, Minister of State for Finance Rana Afzal said that the BISP was conducting a nationwide survey to update the National Socio Economic Registry, after which new cards would be issued to the eligible beneficiaries.

The house passed three bills namely "The Federal Employees Benevolent Fund and Group Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2017," "The Marine Insurance Bill 2017" and" The Corporate Rehabilitation Bill 2017".

The statement of objects and reasons of "The Corporate Rehabilitation Bill 2017" says the rehabilitation plan will be mutually agreed upon by the shareholders of the companies and their creditors. The High Court shall appoint insolvency experts who will undertake mediation between the companies and their creditors for determination of liabilities towards the creditors.

The statement of objects and reasons of "The Marine Insurance Bill 2017" will help encouraging and promote Marine Insurance Sector in Pakistan and provide a legal framework for regulation of Marine Insurance in the country. It will also remove contradictions and similarities with other laws existing in the field.