The National Assembly on Tuesday adopted a unanimous resolution condemning Taliban ultimatum to close down female schools in Swat and the government vowed to provide full protection to female institutions in the valley.
Federal Information Minister Sherry Rehman moved the resolution in the House and it was adopted unanimously in response to Taliban call forcing to close down female education centres in Swat under what their 'own brand of Sharia', which was widely condemned and caused serious concern among government functionaries, civil society and local population of Swat.
It was the private members day and the House was seen as lacklustre, where even most of the cabinet members did not turn up and the attendance of the members was also low and could not take up the business of the day despite being a private members day.
In the resolution the National Assembly has expressed grave concern over the situation in Swat and has called upon the government to comprehensively respond to the militants in Swat and tribal areas to bring peace in these areas. It urged the government to devise an socio-economic development plan for these areas for employment generation and growth.
The House expressed concern over continuous violation of human rights particularly women in Swat, adding that it is an integral part of the country and people living in these areas have inalienable right of protection of their lives and rights.
The resolution says that violation of women rights in the area and burning of girl schools is un-Islamic, unjustified and unconstitutional that is direct threat to the integrity of the country. It urged the government to provide security to the students particularly the girls in the area and take action to rebuild these schools.
The resolution also called upon the government to provide security to women in particular and people in general and urged to take appropriate measures to overcome insurgency in the area. Some opposition members underlined that merely passing resolutions by National Assembly moved by treasury members is not enough but the situation needs immediate action from the government to implement these resolutions.
Addressing the house, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani requested the National Assembly Speaker to expedite formation of Public Rights Assurance Committee of the House and ensure its elections so that resolutions of human rights importance could be implemented in proper way.
Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim informed the House that the country is expecting a bumper rice crop this year that would definitely result in reduction in its prices. Responding to a call attention notice regarding procurement of rice at high rates by Trading Corporation, he said the government is making concerted efforts to enhance agricultural yield particularly food items to provide relief to the common man.
Regarding high prices of rice, he informed the House that a committee has been formed to probe into the matter and assured stern action against those found guilty. Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi said that the government is determined to provide maximum facilities to pilgrims in Makkah and Madina despite difficulties.
He said various complaints have been received against Hajj tour operators and he assured the House that after proper investigations, action would be taken against those who are found guilty. He said the government has requested the Saudi Arabian government to enhance Hajj quota for Pakistan to accommodate maximum number of people.
The Minister said that due to demolition of buildings around Masjid-al-Haraam, the pilgrims, especially the aged, faced some serious difficulties including transport problem. However, he said that the government would make more elaborate arrangements for the next Hajj season. The Speaker National Assembly referred three private members bills to the concerned Standing Committees of the House for further consideration.
Dr Donia Aziz, Iqbal Qadri and Syed Allauddin proposing amendments in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in National Assembly 2007 moved these Bills. Advisor to Prime Minister and Chairperson, Higher Education Commission Begum Shehnaz Wazir Ali informed the National Assembly that due to financial constraints the government has suspended establishment of nine engineering universities.
Responding to points raised by members in a discussion on price hike, she said the plan to set up universities was made in haste and nobody considered its financial impact on the national economy, as each university if established would cost 45 billion rupees.
Speaking on a point of order, Minister for Agriculture Nazar Muhammad Gondal informed the House that the government has increased wheat support price with an objective to enhance productivity besides increasing income of the small growers. He said this increase would benefit small growers who are ninety-seven per cent from the agriculture community.
Earlier, the members participating in the discussion urged the government to take visible steps to overcome price hike so that people could be able to get essential commodities on reasonable prices. The opposition members criticised the government for its failure to provide relief to the masses despite the fact that crude and palm oil price in the international market has come down to more than half. Those who spoke included Abdul Qadir Patel, Khushbakht Shujaat, Rana Tanwir Hussain, Akram Maseeh Gill and Abdul Qadir Khanzada.
Speaking on a call attention notice Environment Minister Hameedullah Khan Afridi said that main reason of deforestation is lack of alternative sources of fuel in different parts of the country. He added that due to issuance of timber permits by the previous MMA government in NWFP, forests in Kohistan and northern parts of NWFP were extensively chopped. He regretted that the present provincial government is still following the policy and deforestation in the province is still continuing.
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