The Punjab Assembly Tuesday passed a resolution condemning the proclamation of the state of emergency on November 3, 2007 by then military ruler General Pervez Musharraf. The resolution was tabled by Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, who praised the struggle of the media, legal fraternity and civil society against the emergency measures.
He said the worst kind of democracy was better than authoritarian rule. Later, legislators gathered in front of the provincial assembly and condemned the imposition of emergency in the country in 2007.
Earlier, Senior Minister Raja Riaz spoke of the struggle of the PPP for democracy in the country. He said President Asif Ali Zardari had been facing various allegations for nine years, but he was not penalised for any of the cases framed against him. He said it was not that they were interested in the passage of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) but those were the court instructions which were being adhered to. He said they would soon publish the list of NRO beneficiaries and after that everything would be cleared.
Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, on the issue, said they appreciated the services of slain PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto against dictatorship, adding that democracy was the best solution. An opposition legislator maintained that such a resolution was not permissible on the private members' day.
He said, in the present hierarchy, there were those who were with military dictator Ziaul Haq, adding that mud slugging should be stopped and a forward looking approach should be adopted. Earlier responding to queries about the Home Department, Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said road and sign tests were taken for motorcycle licences, while HTV licenses were issued after the candidate passed through board.
The law minister told the house that 10 bomb explosions had occurred in Rawalpindi from 2003 to 2007, and nine of them were suicide attacks. Twenty six persons were arrested in connection with these incidents, he added. In an adjournment motion Sh. Allaudin pointed towards dismal results of BA and Bsc.
He stressed that this situation had to be reversed by the Education Department. The MPA lamented that teachers were involved in private teaching instead of giving time to students at educational institutions. On the assurance by Rana Sanaullah that the government would take further measures, the chair disposed of the motion.
In an another adjournment motion by the law minister regarding smoking of 'Shishah' hashish, Ecstasy, Ketamine, and cocain in the city, the law minister assured the house that if any such incident was brought to his notice, steps would be taken.
Another adjournment motion was presented regarding corruption in escalation head in C&W and Agriculture. MPA said he would submit a reply on that matter and take measures. A resolution moved by MPA Nighat Nasir Shaikh for providing facilities to women in hospital emergencies was passed by the house after the MPA amended the resolution.
On a resolution to construct a Cadet College in Fort Monoro, the law minister said it was a federal matter, however, if the mover presented an amended resolution, the Assembly would take up the matter. On another resolution by Chaudhry Moonis Elahi and others regarding establishment of checking cells in hospitals, the minister informed that work was already being done in maintaining things, however, he said, if an amended resolution was brought, further measures could be taken.
A resolution by MPA Shafiq Arain for extending the working duration of assembly from 70 to 100 days was disposed of by the chair, as the mover was not present. A resolution by MPA Zoobia Rabab regarding easy instalments to retired government servants in their housing schemes was unanimously passed. The chair later adjourned the house.