ISLAMABAD (APP): The National Assembly on Monday passed seven government bills including the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023 which aims to amend the Pakistan Army Act 1952. Three bills were approved after the passage of a motion to suspend the rules for immediate consideration of these legislative proposals.
The bills include the Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill, 2023; the National Commission for Human Development (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology, Islamabad (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar introduced the Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill, 2023 in the National Assembly which was passed by the House along with amendments proposed by him.
While introducing the bill, Minister for Law and Justice said that the establishment of the Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund would ensure economic development through the management of funds and assets to achieve their optimal use according to the best international standards. Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Rana Tanveer Hussain moved the National Commission for Human Development (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology, Islamabad (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Both bills were passed by the House.
Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar moved the Defence Housing Authority Islamabad (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The minister highlighted the salient features of legislation as both of these bills have been approved by the Senate. He also laid the annual report of the National Commission for Human Rights for the period from December 2021 to December 2022, as required by sub-section (2) of section 28 of the National Commission for Human Rights Act, 2012. State Minister for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan moved the Cantonments (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Board of Investment (Amendment) Bill, 2023 which were passed by the House.
The members of the National Assembly also strongly denounced the attack on the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) gathering in Bajaur and emphasized the urgent need to identify and expose the elements responsible for terrorist incidents across the country.
During a point of order, Sheikh Rohsail Asghar, a member of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), condemned the attack and requested the suspension of the question hour to discuss this grave and tragic incident. He highlighted that a similar incident occurred on May 9, intended to weaken the institutions responsible for protecting the country.
Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, while addressing the House, regarded the attack as an assault on Pakistan, all political parties, the Constitution, and democracy itself. He pointed out that such incidents of terrorism had already resulted in the martyrdom of numerous law enforcement personnel, police officers, and civilians. He emphasized the urgency of revealing the hidden hands behind these brutal acts. Minister for Communication, Maulana Asad Mehmood, expressed his condolences for the loss of JUI-F workers and stood in solidarity with the bereaved families. He stressed that the attack wasn’t merely targeting a specific party but was an attack on the entire nation, its economy, democracy, and innocent citizens. He lamented that political workers who stood firmly for the constitution and democracy were continuously becoming targets of violence.
Maulana Asad highlighted the alarming number of JUI-F leaders who had lost their lives in the past two years due to similar incidents in various regions, including Khyber Agency, Tarah Valley, Tribal areas, and Balochistan. He strongly stated that they would not compromise on Pakistan, Islam, and democracy, striving to make the country economically and politically robust. Rana Tanveer Hussain, a senior leader of PML-N and federal minister, expressed sympathies for the tragic incident and the bereaved families. He reminded the House of the sacrifices made during the war against terrorism, which had cost the lives of over 80,000 individuals, including law enforcement personnel. He mentioned attempts to sabotage Pakistan’s development during the Chinese President’s visit in 2014 and was of the view that the recent terrorist incidents were aimed at hindering the country’s progress, particularly during the visit of the Chinese Deputy Premier.
Rana Tanveer Hussain stressed the necessity of unity and the formulation of a concrete strategy to tackle such situations effectively. Minister for Water Resources, Syed Khursheed Shah, also strongly condemned the incident, pointing out that his party’s leadership had been a major victim of terrorism. He attributed the root cause of such incidents to a non-democratic mentality.
PTI lawmaker Sardar Riaz Mehmood Khan Mazari also condemned the tragic incident in Bajaur and criticized the policies of previous governments during the Afghan war, which he believed resulted in chaos and unrest in the country. He called for accountability of those who received dollars during the war, stating that Islam is a religion of peace that promotes brotherhood and discourages violence against others. He expressed solidarity with the families of the victims and the JUI-F leadership.
Later, the House was adjourned to meet again on August 1, 2023 (Tuesday) at 11 am.
NA passes Army Act amend bill
