The Special Economic Zones Bill, 2012 was deferred for today (Thursday) in the National Assembly due to some objections raised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Awami National Party (ANP).
When the Bill was tabled Wednesday for passage by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Khurram Dastgir of PML-N and Pervaiz Khan Advocate of ANP raised objection that the provinces are stakeholders in the Bill, so resolutions should be passed by provinces to allow the Parliament to legislate under 18th Amendment.
While responding to the members, Khurram Jahangir Wattoo said the draft of the Bill was presented to the Council of Common Interests (CCI) but some objections were raised. Afterwards, consultations were made with the provinces and other stockholders on the draft of Bill, he said.
He said that after consultation, the draft was once again presented to the CCI in 2011 for approval. He said that all the chief ministers agreed on the draft of the Bill and the CCI approved it.
Khursheed Shah said the Bill should be deferred for tomorrow (Thursday) for discussion to remove reservations of the members. The Speaker deferred the Bill till today (Thursday).
The government also presented two Ordinances to National Assembly regarding Transfer of Railways and Intellectual Property Organisation. Chief Whip and Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah presented the Ordinances on behalf of the law minister as required by clause (2) of Article 89 of the Constitution. Khursheed Shah also presented the second quarterly report for the year 2011-12 of the Central Board of Directors of State Bank of Pakistan.