No word on bill whose delay irked Punjab speaker

Not a word was heard in the provincial assembly on Monday about the Punjab Emergency Council Bill, although Speaker Chaudhry Pervez Elahi had adjourned the House on February 25. He did that in protest against the government not making the bill a part of the agenda. “I am going to adjourn the House till March 1 and no proceedings will be conducted until The Punjab Emergency Council Bill (relating to Rescue 1122 service) is brought on the agenda of the assembly,” the speaker had declared. The session was called by the government that was adjourned by the speaker. On Monday, the session was chaired by Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari. Neither the bill was brought on the agenda nor did anyone hear even a single word about it during the proceedings. However, it was observed that some fiery words were exchanged between lawmakers of the two parties including PML-N and PTI. Read more: Govt urged to devise long-term policies This happened after an MPA from the opposition party alleged that there was lack of action over the murder of a worker. Provincial Law Minister Basharat Raja said that some of the accused in the case were behind the bars, while some were on bail. He said that the government would try and make efforts to get their bail cancelled. The minister vowed to ensure that justice will prevail in the case. During the question-answer session, PML-N’s MPA Sumera Komal asked that if the government had spent the funds that were allocated for coping with coronavirus pandemic. Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid explained that the government had used the allotted funds correctly. Further details about the expenditures could be obtained from a website. However, MPA Komal claimed that about half the funds could not be spent. Whereas, the minister reiterated that if anyone want the complete details about the funds could be obtained from the website. She denied any inquiry by the National Accountability Bureau on the issue. Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2021.

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