Punjab Assembly in its 23rd session here on Tuesday, in two separate resolutions separately passed by treasury and the opposition benches, unanimously condemned the burning of the Holy Quran at the hands of Priest Wayne Sapp under the guidance of Priest Terry Jones in Florida on 20th of this month.
Passing the resolutions unanimously Law Minister Rana Sana Ullah said that case should be initiated in the International Court of Justice against the incident. He said sentiments of Muslims all over the world were deeply hurt by the act against their holy book. The resolution on the occasion passed, demanded of the government to issue a condemnation in this regard. He said sanctity of the Holy Quran is guaranteed by Allah Almighty, the priest and those involved in its burning incident would get the wrath of Almighty. He pointed that intentions of priest Terry Jones were already known to the government of USA, which should have taken necessary measures to avoid this incident, he added. He termed this incident as biggest terrorist act.
Ch. Zaheer Uddin former Leader of Opposition condemning the incident in a resolution unanimously passed and signed by legislators Amna Ulfat, Amir Sultan Cheema, Simel Kamran, Khadija Umar, Samina Khawar Hayat, Syeda Majeeda Zidi condemned the act of burning of the Holy Quran, as condemnable and heinous act and also condemned the Government of US for this. They through resolution stressed upon launching a movement for filing a case against this priest in International court of Justice. Both treasury and opposition held a protest against the burning act outside the assembly premises.
Here on the occasion Law Minister Rana Sana Ullah criticised Leader of the Opposition Raja Riaz for coming late in the Assembly pointing that it would be better if opposition leader would give more time in assembly proceeding, rather than coming late and start criticising the affairs. Punjab Minister Excise Mujtaba Shuja-u-Rehman answering queries in the session said that no license of liquor has been issued since 2005. He said 11 licenses of liquor selling were given in the province. The Minister said after ensuring section 25 of Hadood Ordinance, license is only given to 4/5 Star Hotels.
Minister to a query pointed that permission to sell liquor was given to nine hotels in Punjab. The list of these hotels is: Awari Hotel; Pearl Continental; Holi Daty Inn; Ambassador Hotel; Pearl Continental Bhurban, Pearl Continental Rawalpindi; Flashman Hotel Rawalpindi; Serena Hotel Faisalabad, Ramada Hotel Multan.
To a question he said that from January 1, 2009 to January 31, 2009 a total of 282,596 gallons (Pakistan Made Foreign Liquor), 1, 467,875 litres (Beer) was supplied to these hotels. A number of minority legislators in the House asked for a unanimous legislation on banning of liquor selling in the Province. The House was later adjourned by the Chair for Friday (9:00 am).