The National Assembly on Wednesday passed a unanimous resolution, expressing deep concern over the issue of missing persons besides taking immediate measures for their recovery and release. The resolution moved by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was adopted unanimously.
The resolution expressing deep concern said picking up people without any intimation, allegedly by spy agencies has tarnished the country's image both at home and abroad. The issue, it added, has spoiled the immense and tremendous sacrifices of the intelligence agencies for the country. The government should ensure rule of law without delay besides looking into the recommendations of different commissions and observation of the Supreme Court for recovery of missing persons, it added.
The resolution urged the government to work on a legislation to regulate the role of security agencies, suggesting for a special parliamentary committee comprising members of both treasury and opposition to monitor what progress has been made in efforts to resolve the issue and recommend additional measures for the purpose within two months.
Speaking on the occasion, opposition leader in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan assailed the government for poor law and order situation adding that peaceful civilians are not safe. "The number of missing persons has increased compared to General Musharraf's regime, which is a matter of grave concern for all of us as by sitting in the parliament we have failed to protect our people," he added.
He said abduction of people was initiated in former president General Pervez Musharraf's era. He demanded stern action against the culprits. This trend of picking people must end... produce them before the court of law, punish them severely if they are guilty but this is not the way to keep everybody in dark about their whereabouts, he remarked.
Rehman Malik said there are only 47 people, who are missing from Balochistan and proposed a detailed briefing to the house on the issue. Nisar outrightly rejected his offer, saying Rehman Malik is such a person who can never be trusted. He said Rehman Malik must not be involved in or his party would not be part of the proposed parliamentary committee for recovery of missing persons. "He knows nothing except changing his statements and adding the sweetener. I don't know whether his family trusts him or not but at least I don't...," he remarked.
WALKOUT Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) staged a token walkout from the house over alleged conversion of a Hindu girl, Rinkle Kumari and her abduction from Mirpur Mathello due to high handedness of a member from ruling PPP. Speaking on a point of order, Manwer Lal of MQM said that minorities are insecure in the country. He said Rinkle was abducted from her home but a PPP MNA from Ghotki did not let her family to register an FIR. He did not disclose the name of the member but pointed finger at Mian Abdul Haq alias Mian Mitho.
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS BILL Industrial Relations Bill, 2012 passed by Senate was also unanimously adopted by National Assembly to ensure more rights to labourers as members foresaw better industrial and economic development after enactment of the bill.
The bill was moved by Qamar Zaman Kaira after the House suspended the rules to take up this important bill. The opposition parties did not raise any objection on the bill and passed it unanimously. The bill will ensure protection to the rights of workers and promote trade union culture.
NEW MEMEBERS Deputy Speaker National Assembly administered oath to six members who were elected in the recently held bye-elections. The new members include Prime Minister's son Syed Ali Musa Gilani (NA-148 Multan), Natasha Daultana (NA-168 Vehari), Shaikh Tariq Rashid (NA-149 Multan), Rashid Ali Khan (NA-140 Kasur), Himatullah Mayar (NA-9 Mardan) and Syed Mustafa Mahmood (NA-195 Rahim Yar Khan).
Syed Ali Musa Gilani said the turnout in the recent bye-elections was more than the general elections of 2008 which is reflective of people's confidence in the parliament. In his first speech to the house, he said, "I have been elected by the people of the Seraiki belt to fight their case and I will try to come up to their expectations," he maintained. Natasha Daultana, the sister of late PPP MNA Azeem Daultana, vowed to work with determination to resolve problems of the people.