Senate passes 'The Banking Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2018'

The Senate has passed 'The Banking Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2018,' which is aimed at deleting section 27B that places fetters on the functioning of trade unions in banking organisations. According to statement of objects and reasons, the section 27B violates the sprit and the rights conferred by Article 17 of 1973 Constitution, and is in violation of the provisions of the ILO to which Pakistan is a signatory.
"The section is contrary to the provisions of IRO 2009, which allows for 25 percent members of the trade union to be from outside the organisation," it added. The report of the Justice Shaffi-ur-Rehman Commission also recommended that the said section be deleted.
Besides, the Banking Companies Ordinance, 1962 deals with the functions and operations of the Banking Companies, it does not regulate the functions of the trade unions which are covered under the IRO. The section curtails the right to trade union activities that are guaranteed under the Constitution and various instruments of international law.
The House also passed 'The Exit from Pakistan (Control) (Amendment) Bill, 2018.' According top statement of objects and reasons, the provisions of 'Exit from Pakistan (Control) Ordinance, 1981' are in conflict with the fundamental rights conferred by the Constitution.
It further said that the proposed amendments bring in harmony the provisions of ordinance with Constitution and are based on observance of superior courts in several cases. Both the bills were moved by Senator Raza Rabbani. He expressed his gratitude to the House for supporting the bills, saying the workers have been struggling for this since 1997, and their dreams came true after the bills sailed through the House.
Rabbani withdrew two bills which he had submitted to repeal 'The Banking Companies Ordinance 1962' and 'the State Bank of Pakistan Banking Services Corporation (Repeal) Bill, 2018.' Speaking on a point of public importance, Maulana Attaur Rehman accused the chairman Senate of refusing to meet the senators at his office under one pretext or another.
Rehman questioned whether new rules have been formulated to bar the senators from meeting chairman Senate. On this, Chairman Sanjran who was presiding over the session did not allow him to speak. The House on Monday unanimously passed a resolution which recommended the government to acquire possession of all the land in zone-1 in federal capital earmarked for green belts in master plan, and make plantation on it irrespective of its present status of development. The resolution was moved by Senator Sitara Ayaz.
The House also adopted a resolution unanimously, recommending the government to take necessary steps to discourage excessive use of plastic in government departments. It was moved by Senator Sherry Rehman signed by seven senators belonging to all parliamentary parties in Senate.
Speaking on a deferred motion moved by Javed Abbasi on situation arising out of rapid population increase in the country, the lawmakers belonging to both treasury and opposition called for taking concrete steps to deal with the issue.
They said that mere seminars and expressing concerns are not enough as the time has come for all stakeholders to join hands for finding a lasting solution to the issue, as it is becoming complicated with each passing day due to lack of attention.
Responding to the motion, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Swati said that a task force has been formed to address the growing population issue. He called for creation of awareness and educating people to cope with the population increase.
"All the provinces have agreed on the recommendations of Council of Common Interests regarding population control and hopefully something concrete will be done in this regard," he added. The House will now meet at 3:00pm on Tuesday.