NA condemns terrorist attacks in Brussels

The National Assembly on Thursday passed a unanimous resolution strongly condemning the terrorist attack in Brussels on March 22, 2016 in which 34 people had lost their lives and more than 200 others were injured. The resolution was moved by Shazia Marri of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in the House for passage. The House passed the resolution unanimously.
According to the resolution, "this House strongly condemns the recent terrorist attacks in Brussels on Tuesday 22nd March, 2016 which took 34 lives and left more than 200 injured. Believes that the world must stand united to combat this menace; reaffirms its unwavering resolve to stop, by all means, every form of terrorism world-wide; expresses its deepest sympathies and condolences with the families of the victims of these brutalities; and urges upon all States and peace loving people of the world to take all necessary steps in order to protect the peaceful communities all over the world against every form of extremism and terrorism."
The Lower House of the Parliament also passed three other resolutions regarding population census, new survey for Benazir Income Support Programme and separate counters for women in all passport and Nadra offices. The House adopted a unanimous resolution calling upon the government to take immediate steps to conduct population census in the country. It was moved by Dr Nafisa Shah in the House.
Speaking on the resolution, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad said that the government has full intention to hold population and housing census as soon as possible. The House passed yet another resolution calling upon the government to take steps to establish separate counters for women in all Passport and NADRA offices. It was moved by Naeema Kishwar Khan.
Parliamentary Secretary for Interior Maryam Aurangzeb informed the House that the government is already working on the issue. She said separate counters of women in all the 561 NADRA centers will be set up in the first phase and separate women NADRA centers will be established in the second phase.
The House also passed the resolution to conduct new survey for Benazir Income Support Programme and extend its scope to make it more beneficial to poor. The resolution was moved by Surriya Asghar in the House for passage. The House unanimously passed the resolution. The House rejected a resolution urging the government to take steps to fix minimum interest free house building advance amount at two million rupees for the government employees. It was moved by Sajida Begum.
Parliamentary Secretary for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan told the House that the loans are being given to the government employees within the available resources and keeping in view the repayment capacity of the employees. Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan told the House that PASCO will procure one million tons of wheat this year from across the country. Responding to points raised by Leader of the Opposition Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah, he said last year PASCO procured 80 thousand tons of wheat from Sindh which was a record. The members of minorities also raised the issue of Holi on the floor of the House and urged the government to announce holiday on the day of Holi of Hindu community.