The Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Bill 2009 was tabled in the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday. The bill was tabled by opposition leader Chaudhry Zaheer-ud-Din and others. Earlier, the assembly, expressing concern over the minorities, unanimously passed a resolution, condemning Gojra incident. The assembly observed two-minute silence on the Gojra incident to express its over the minorities' rights.
Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, speaking on the issue, said a report of the incident would be presented before the house on Wednesday. A number of legislators demanded that it was their constitutional right to know about the report regarding Gojra incident. Meanwhile, a number of resolutions of public interest were put before the house.
The mover withdrew a resolution of Sardar Saleem Bhatti regarding double vote of Christian community. On a resolution of legislator Nighat Nasir Shaikh regarding new emergency centres for women in the hospitals was accepted with the note by the relevant minister that Punjab government had already taken measures for Purda in these centres.
A resolution by Sheikh Allauddin regarding observation of 10-day leave regarding 1857 independence struggle, Rana Sanullah observed that holidays would not be permitted, but a postal stamp could be issued. The resolution, which appreciated the heroic role of martyrs of 1857 struggle, including role of General Bakht Khan and Nawab Hazrat Mahal, was unanimously accepted.
Earlier, Social Welfare and Environment Minister Neelum Jabbar, speaking in the house, said that measures had been taken to bring down the population growth figure to 1.3 percent. She said that under Environmental Control Law of 1997, those factories that created environmental hazard could not be shifted, however, measures to control pollution in those factories under the law could be taken.
She said government had issued no orders for shifting of Lakhoder Steel Mills to any other place. To a query, she said those 1,654 Centres of Social Welfare working in Punjab. The minister pointed that there were 101 Social Welfare Centres in Lahore.
To a question, she said that at present there were 435 different size factories in the city whose drain water fell in River Ravi. She said only 20 of them had set up wastewater treatment plants. She said Environment Protection Department had already initiated proceedings under Environmental Protection Act against the factories. Later, the house was adjourned for Wednesday.