LAHORE - The Punjab Assembly witnessed the rare happening of completion of agenda in 49 minutes on a private members day yesterday.
On Monday, the proceedings lasted merely for 45 minutes due to suspension of 137 legislators by the election commission and lack of interest on the part of eligible MPAs that caused adjournment of session after an opposition legislator pointed quorum. This is the rare happening of completion of agenda well within an hour.
The election commission has suspended 137 MPAs including four ministers Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Bilal Yasin, Iqbal Chanar and Hameeda Waheeduddin and Opposition Leader Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed for not submitting details of assets. Out of these, 13 have been allowed to participate in the House proceedings after they submitted tax returns and asset details with the ECP.
The House unanimously passed a resolution presented by JI leader Dr Waseem Akhtar, demanding establishment of universities at district level. The mover said that such step would help promote higher education in the province.
Resolution moved by Ahmad Khan Bhachar that demanded ban on unsafe sale of LPG by decanting in every street was deferred for next proceedings. The mover said that banning decanting would prevent loss of precious human lives and properties.
Other resolutions of public interests moved by Amir Sultan Cheema, Gulnar Shahzadi and Malik Taimur Saud were also deferred due to their absence from the House.
Earlier, the proceedings started with one hour and 35 minutes beyond the scheduled time with Deputy Speaker Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani in the chair.
Replying to a question of opposition legislator Ahsan Riaz Fatyana during Question Hour on Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary Nazar Muhammad Gondal said that Additional Advocate General Mustafa Ramday was given temporary charge of Advocate General Punjab since the seat was lying vacant for quite some time.
Mustafa Ramday was not taking extra remuneration for the temporary services, Gondal said, adding that the additional advocate general was not given any security and he was just provided the services of an assistant to perform official duties.
The chair deferred two separate adjournment motions by Sardar Shahabuddin and Faiza Malik drawing attention towards lack of action against officials of Cooperative Department involved in embezzlement of billions of rupees in Rahim Yar Khan.
Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani adjourned the session till today after completion of agenda.