The Punjab Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution that strongly condemned the publication of a blasphemous caricature of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in a Norwegian newspaper 'Aften Posten' and demanded complete suspension of diplomatic ties with Norway.
The House, chaired by Speaker, Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan, also demanded of the federal government to pressurise the United Nations (UN) to adopt a legislation that prevents such blasphemes acts in future. It also demanded of the both the Norwegian and Danish governments to take stern action against "journalist terrorism" practiced by a section of press in their respective countries.
The resolution was jointly moved by the treasury and opposition benches that reads, "The biggest provincial legislature of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan condemns the caricatures of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) by a Norwegian newspaper 'Aften Posten' and demands of the governments of Norway and Denmark to take strict action against the newspapers in their respective countries who committed this 'terrorist act'. The countries like Denmark and Norway are the champions of the religious harmony among different religions but on the same time a section of press in these countries is hurting the feelings of Muslim Ummah.
This House wants to make it clear that the respect of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is the part of the faith of every Muslim and no one can remain silent on violation of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)'s sanctity. Such actions have created unrest among the Muslims of the world and it is necessary for the global peace to stop the blasphemous acts. This House also demands of the federal government to force the United Nations (UN) to do effective legislation for those involved in blasphemes acts to give them exemplary punishment.
This House also demands of the Swiss government to lift the ban on the constructions of the minarets of the mosques. The House also demands of the western and France governments to stop contemptuous language against Islamic rituals." On the occasion, Punjab Minority Minister Kamran Michael said the minority community shares the same sentiments on the issue and on one has the right to hurt the sanctity of any religion.
Both the members of the treasury and opposition strongly reacted to the publication of blasphemous caricature. They said by just giving a lip-service on the issue was not enough, Pakistan should boycott the products of these countries. They observed that Wapda's biggest contractor was a Swedish firm and if we want to lodge a strong protest against these countries then we should suspend business dealing with them.
This rare show of solidarity between the treasury and opposition benches short lived when Amna Ulfat of PML-Q raised the issue of Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanauulah's 'illegal' plaza through a point of order. She stressed for same law for all.
This prompted the Minister to respond with a suggestion to Deputy Speaker Rana Mashud to constitute a three-member committee from the opposition benches and headed by Opposition Leader Chaudhry Zaheeruddin. He said the committee should investigate the matter and he would provide all the necessary documents that it demands, and he would honour the committee's findings. "I request the Speaker to constitute the committee, I have no fear and would respect the rule of law," he added.
He reiterated that only those plazas were being targeted that were named in the Kiyani Commission, in which 1158 plazas were named for violating the building by-laws. He took strongly reacted to the demand of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer's demand for his resignation. He said he has been targeted by various people, including Lahore Nazim Mian Amer Mahmood, but he is not going anywhere. "I will not resign and runaway," he added.
The Deputy Speaker constituted a committee comprising Opposition Leader Chaudhry Zaheeruddin, Mohsin Leghari of PML-Q and Aman Ulfat. He said the committee would hold a meeting with the Speaker in two days and its findings would be present before the House. "However, I do suggest the opposition to include two members from the treasury benches," he added.
Muhammad Waris Kallu, a member of the treasury benches to reacted to the constitution of the committee comprising just the members of the opposition benches. He argued that the Speaker should not move away from the tradition of the House by ignoring other political parties in the committee.
The matter was still under discussion that another member of the treasury benches demand a similar committee to investigate the Robert Farm case, which involved the PML-Q. Smelling retaliation from the treasury benches, the opposition pointed out lack of quorum to the Speaker and hence the House was adjourned till Tuesday morning.
Earlier, the treasury benches came in to the defence of the Punjab bureaucracy, which is rare in the House, as in routine 'bureaucracy-bashing' is a favourite topic among the legislators. It all started when the opposition hailed the Punjab Chief Minister's decision of relieving the Punjab Chief Secretary from his duty till the accident case is finalised.
The treasury benches strongly objected to the Punjab government's decision of relieving the Punjab Secretary. They argued that on what ground the Chief Secretary was being targeted. They also criticised the media for carrying out a media trail of the top bureaucrat of the province. They said the Chief Secretary was just a passenger when the accident occurred (in which a retired colonel was killed) and he was being trailed for the fault of his driver.
They were of the view that it wasn't right to blame a person for any act which hadn't been caused by him. They asserted that a wrong precedent was being set by the government 'putting a passenger in the dock' and we would regret this in future. Thus, they demanded immediate restoration of the Chief Secretary. Meanwhile, attendance of legislators has been a persistent problem for the House and thus lack of quorum prematurely ended the proceeding without completing its today's business.