ISLAMABAD   -  The National Assembly (NA) on Friday was informed that the present government would take the Parliament into confidence on April 19th about the decision to ban TLP in the country and other related matters.

“Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed would take the Parliament into confidence, as he would issue policy statement on the floor of the House on Monday,” said Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan , responding to concerns raised by the Opposition members on point of orders regarding the decision to ban TLP.

The federal government other day [Thursday] had formally banned TLP for “creating anarchy” in the country under the anti-terrorism law following an approval of the Cabinet.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 11B (1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, the Federal Government listed TLP as a proscribed organisation,” according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior.

The Speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaiser, responding to the concerns raised by the Opposition over the situation in the country, asked the Minister for State for Parliamentary Affairs to ensure the presence of Minister of Interior Sheikh Rashid on Monday.

“Minister for Interior should come in the House and give policy statement on the matter,” he said, mentioning that they all were  Aashiq-e-Rasool and can sacrifice lives for the sanctity of Hazrat Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wa Sallam Khatam-un-Nabiyyin. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan, in response to the chair, said that the situation has returned to normalcy in the country.

“Roads blocked by the protestors have been opened,” he said, mentioning that no group would be allowed to dictate the government by using the power,” he said and quoted the Constitution does not allow anyone to create a law and order situation in the country.

He further said that both the Houses of the Parliament had unanimously passed a resolution condemning the publication of blasphemous material in France. Prime Minister Imran Khan had gone one step further as he raised the issue strongly at every world forum, he said.

PPP-P’s MNA Naveed Qamar , on point of order, said that the government should take the House into confidence about any decision for banning any organisation. “What is the new policy. There is a need to take Parliament into confidence,” he said.A religio-political party’s MNA Salahuddin said that the government should prefer dialogue policy before taking any strict action against any organization.

Another MNA Imran Shah Gilani said that there should be no diplomatic relations with France.  “Nothing is above from the respect of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The Interior Minister should give a policy statement on it, he said. Earlier, the lawmakers from minorities raised the matter of forced conversions especially in the Sindh province.

MNAs Ramesh Lal, Dr.Darshan, Khel Das said that there was a need for proper legislation in the country to avoid the incidents of forced conversion in the country.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said that a Parliamentary Committee was formed to deal with this kind of matter.

He said present government discourages forced conversion of religion. Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari said a bill has also been prepared against the forced conversions. “We have also shared a draft with the concerned Religious Ministry to incorporate its input on it,” said the Minister.

Earlier, Parliamentary Secretary for Interior Shaukat Ali informed that the notified borders are Torkham, Chaman, Badini, Angur Ada, Ghulam Khan and Kharlachi.

“Necessary action will be taken keeping in view the required situation, said Parliamentary Secretary, responding to Opposition members on a call attention notice. The movers were of the view that there was a need to enhance trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan by increasing trade on the borders of both the countries.  They said more crossing points should be opened between the two countries to achieve the objective, he said.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan laid before the house the Annual Report of Pakistan Information Commission for the period 1st January 2020 to 30th November 2020.

Two bills were also laid before the house including ‘The Muslim Family Laws Amendment Bill’ and ‘The National Commission on the Rights of Child Amendment Bill’. The chair referred the bills to the Standing Committees concerned.