Islamabad, 31 Dec, 2020 (DNA) : A meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights was held under the chairmanship of Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, in which the committee was informed about the alleged abduction of Farah, a minor Christian girl by CPO Faisalabad. Apart from the issue of forced conversion and marriage, the death of a farmer named Malik Ashfaq due to alleged police violence by CCPO Lahore and other important issues were also taken up.

Faisalabad police officials told the committee that they had received a complaint from the family of a Christian girl named Farah that her daughter had been abducted by a man named Khizr Hayat, while the girl’s statement before a magistrate was also recorded in which she He said that she had gone of her own free will and got married as a Muslim. The committee was informed that the girl had also undergone a medical test and according to the doctor’s report, she was between 16 and 17 years old. During the committee meeting, the girl’s father presented the “B” form issued by NADRA stating that she is 13 years old.

Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and other members of the committee raised questions on the investigation process and said that the certificate issued by NADRA is more authentic or the doctor’s report and the FIR registered was also registered under the orders of the court.

The family members said that Farah and her brother Waqas are twins and the date of birth of both of them is recorded in Form “B”. Expressed Chairman Committee apologized to the family of the minor girl and demanded that legal action be taken against those responsible and proper protection be provided to the family of the girl. Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said that the investigating officer has tarnished Pakistan’s image. The officer also involved in the crime.

The committee directed the SSP to investigate the whole matter and submit a detailed report to the committee on January 6. The SSP assured the committee that the matter would be investigated. And a charge sheet will be issued to the concerned investigating officer. Regarding the murder of Dr Tahir belonging to Ahmadi Jamaat in Nankana, DPO Nankana told the committee that Dr Tahir was killed by Mahad, a 16-year-old boy living in his neighborhood.

He said that Mahad had taken weapons from his friend. Lia and those who provided him with weapons have also been arrested and the case is pending in the anti-terrorism court. Regarding the investigation process, the DPO said that the investigation has revealed that The chairman of the committee said that this was a very sensitive issue and a committee of the entire Senate should discuss these issues with regard to the protection of minorities.

He said that strict action needs to be taken against hate speech. CCPO Lahore presented all the facts before the committee about the death of Malik Ashfaq Langarial due to police torture. He said that Malik Ashfaq Langarial was suffering from heart disease and he did not die in police custody. He said that the police had nothing to do with it. However, he said that the farmers’ representatives were on strike and action was taken against them. No one was tortured.

Today’s meeting of the committee was attended by Senators Shaheen Khalid Butt, Qaratul Ain Murree, Muhammad Usman Kakar, Keshu Bai and Sarfraz Bugti besides the Ministry of Human Rights, police officials and others.

ISLAMABAD, 31 Dec , 2020 : Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar khan on Thursday handed over keys of 42 recovered vehicles and 57 bikes to their actual owners and renewed commitment to curb crime during 2021 through effective policing measures.

A ceremony was held at Police Line Headquarters held to hand over the keys among the actual owners who thanked Islamabad police chief and expressed their confidence on policing measures being taken to secure them.

The IGP said that heinous crime declined upto 20 percent in the federal capital during 2020 as compared to the previous year and efforts are underway to ensure further protection to the lives and properties of citizens through effective policing measures.

The ceremony was also attended by the police officials who succeeded to recover the stolen vehicles and bikes. SP (Industrial Area) Zubair Ahmed Sheikh constituted special teams to curb bike lifting incidents in the area which showed extraordinary performance and recovered 51 bikes stolen from jurisdiction of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.  Likewise, teams of Anti-Car Lifting Cell (ACLC) handed over the keys of 28 recovered vehicles to their actual owners, City Zone handed over five vehicles, Saddar Zone handed over five vehicles and six bikes and Rural Zones gave keys of five vehicles to their actual owners.

According to the report of Operation Division of Islamabad police, a total of 1555 persons were held for their involvement in crime cases of heinous nature including dacoity, snatching, theft and vehicles as well as bikes lifting.

Speaking on the occasion, the IGP said that Islamabad police is making its best possible efforts to curb crime in the city and heinous crime reduced upto 20 percent in 2020 as compared to 2019. He said that 70 percent decline was witnessed in dacoity incidents during 2020 as total of 37 such incidents were reported at various police stations in 2019 while only 11 cases were reported in 2020.

Robbery incidents declined upto 26 percent as 363 robbery incidents were reported in 2019 as compared to 269 in 2020 while burglary and theft cases witnessed decline of 28 percent as 699 cases were reported in 2019 as compared to 515 such cases in 2020.

A decline of 12 percent was witnessed in vehicle theft cases as a total of 734 cases were reported in 2020 as compared to 834 in 2019.

During the year 2020, Islamabad police nabbed 1555 accused for their involvement in heinous nature of crimes including dacoity, robber, snatching, theft and bike as well as vehicle theft incidents. Police also recovered stolen valuables or items worth Rs 1,413 million and 469 vehicles as well as 296 bikes from them.

The IGP Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar said that Islamabad Police also succeeded to bust 353 gangs and nabbed 905 gangsters involved crimes of heinous nature.  Islamabad police chief said that steps are being taken to ensure effective policing in the city and joint teams of Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and Operation Division would conduct snap checking. He said that patrolling would be improved in the city and all Zona officials have been directed to check duties of policemen in their respective areas. No laxity would be tolerated and disciplinary action would be taken against those police officials involved in sluggish policing

Islamabad, 31 Dec 2020 : According to Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO)’s spokesman, System Maintenance is in process. Therefore power supply of below mentioned feeders/areas will be temporary suspended as per given schedule.

On January 1st From 08:30 A.M To 12:30 PM suhadran Road, Lohi Bhair, Grand Hyatt, Alipur, F-8/3, G-9/4, NPCC-I, H-8, H-8/2, Shifa Hospital, I-8/3, PHA II-, Dargah, NIH I & II, Sunny Bank, Cecil, Gharial, Patriata, Shahdara, PTCL, New Malpur, Gangal, Dhok Hakmadad, Committee Chowk, Major Masood, Jamia Masjid, Jinnah Road, Mangtal, Quaidabad, Bagh Sardaran, Nabia Bajnial, Kashmir Road, Jahangir Road, PAF, NPF-I, Gulistan Colony, State Bank, 502 Workshop, Rajar, Quaid-e-Azam Colony, PAECHS, Gagan, Bhangali, Raman, AWC Housing Society, Rashid Minhas, Purmiana, Shaiya, Khanabad, Mansar, Shamsabad, Ghor Ghashti, Attock Cantt, Hameed, People Colony, Ghari Bhowal, Azeem Shaheed , Bahtar, Pari, Kamrial, Khandha, Puran, Pakhwal, Dina3-Rohtas, Madhu Kals, Padial, Safdar Shaheed, Sanghui, Nathwala, Mumtaz Shaheed, Ward No. 8-, Mankiala, Kot Dhimak, Baba Shaheed, Thakra, Samut Line Park, Mureed, Jund Awan, Dhadial City, Mulhal Mughals, Bhikri, Dhala, Neela, Danda Shah Bilawal, Dharabi, Akwal, Jalalabad, Darot, Dharmand feeders and surrounding areas will be remain without power. IESCO management apologizes to its esteemed customers for the power outage. If the work is completed ahead of time, the power supply can be restored even before the scheduled time.

Islamabad, 31 Dec 2020 : The year 2020 was marked with the ever worst Pandemic of COVID-19 which halted the wheel of life all around the world including Pakistan. Inspite of the severe emerged challenges due to COVID-19, National Assembly remained steadfast and stood shoulder by shoulder with the Nation and kept itself in functional state to tackle the socio-economic challenges in the country.  The House focused on socio-economic issues through its debates, adjournment motions, question hour and Standing Committees.

During the year 2020, the Legislative performance of the House remained remarkable. Total working days of the National Assembly during the Year were 123 including the Joint Sittings. During the year 58 Government Bills were introduced, 14 ordinances were laid on the table of the House whereas 31 Government Bills were passed during Sessions of National Assembly held with Speaker Asad Qaiser in the chair. During the said period 34 Government and 2 Private Members Laws were also enacted by the National Assembly. Furthermore, 79 Private Member Bills were introduced and 06 Private Members’ bills were passed that depicts the active involvement of Private Members in the legislative process.

During the year, 19 resolutions were adopted on different national and international issues out of which the most glaring were regarding Combating Islamophobia, Commemorating 73rd Anniversary of the Assembly and on the Finality of the Prophethood. During the year, 6130 Questions were received out of which 891 Questions were answered during the Sessions of the National Assembly. Taking up Motions tabled under rule 259 of the rules of Procedure and Conduct of the National Assembly, 2007 on important issues like the tragic incident of Rape on Motorway, COVID-19, Agriculture Policy, Privatization and Kashmir Issue National Assembly debated the Motions for 6 hour and 23 minutes. While issues of Escalation in COVID-19 Pandemic, fatal crash of PIA flight in Karachi and issues of Privatization of Airports and Steel Mills, Sugar issues also came under discussion.

During the year 2020, a total number of 460 Motions under Rule 259 were received out of which 40 were disallowed and 54 were brought before the House out of which discussion could take placed on 6 Motions. 6 Motions under rule 244(B) were received in National Assembly Secretariat out of which two were disallowed while three were referred to the Standing Committees. The National Assembly also received 74 Questions of Privilege during the year, out of which 2 were disallowed whereas 13 were referred to the standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges, whereas, 49 were under submission.

Parliamentary debate is an essential tool for highlighting the socio-economic issues being faced by the Nation. During the Budget Session, the time consumed by government and opposition was 57 hours and 08 minutes, which was 17 hours 08 minutes in excess of 40 hours allotted for general discussion on Budget. However, the whole Budget passage consumed 81 hours and 33 minutes including the time consumed on the passage of charged Expenditure, presentation and discussion on cut motions and finally the passage of Finance Bill, 2020-21. The passage of Supplementary grants took total 24 hours and 25 minutes. The Members of the Assembly actively participated in the discussion on budget whereas total numbers of 208 including 107 Members from Treasury and 101 Members from Opposition benches spoke on the Budget. Calling Attention Notices, Adjournment Motions and Motions under rule 259 are important Parliamentary tools for oversight and bringing important public matters under discussion in the National Assembly. The Assembly Secretariat received 342 Calling Attention Notices, out of which 79 calling attention notices were brought in the House, however discussion took place on 60 calling attention notices. After thorough discussion, 15 Calling Attention Notices were referred to concerned Committees. Meanwhile, 79 Adjournments were presented in the House out of which 44 were disallowed under the rules and One brought in the House.

Taking stock of the COVID-19 situation, the Speaker National Assembly carried out consultation with the Parliamentary Leaders in the National Assembly for forging a joint approach to tackle the Global pandemic.  A Parliamentary Committee on Corona virus was constituted as a result of consensus amongst the Parliamentary leadership. Another Special Committee comprising three former Speakers and parliamentary leaders was constituted to discuss and suggest measures to hold virtual session of the National Assembly in wake of the pandemic. This Parliamentary Committee on COVID-19 Disease supervised important policy initiatives like maximum outreach to the people effected by COVID-19 through Ehsaas Programme, continuation of Extended Programme on Immunization, provision of adequate numbers of ventilators and provision of COVID-19 testing kits besides rewarding the medical community who was offering their services at the front line.

Speaker Asad Qaiser also focused on welfare of marginalized segments of the society especially disabled persons. In order to intervene at policy and legislation level the first ever Parliamentary Committee on Disabled Persons was constituted which deliberated upon evolving a mechanism to resolve the issues faced by the Persons with Disabilities. Agriculture, being the back bone of the country, was also focused by the Speaker Asad Qaiser. Special Committee on Agriculture Products took a lot of initiatives for the welfare of the farmer’s community. This Committee is still working to suggest reforms and policy intervention in the Agriculture sector and to resolve the problems of Farmers community.

Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser especially focused to enhance bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He constituted Executive Committee of Pakistan Afghanistan Parliamentary Friendship Group which held eight meetings and brought the bilateral relations on new heights of cooperation. The seminar “Pak-Afghan Trade an Investment Forum 2020 “was organized by National Assembly Secretariat which proved a success story for enhancing bilateral trade.

While expressing his satisfaction over the performance of the National Assembly from 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020, Speaker Asad Qaiser has remarked that only effective legislation and Parliamentary oversight can resolve all socio-economic issues faced by the country. He said that performance of the National Assembly in 2020 remained remarkable in spite of the grave challenges emerged due to Pandemic of COVID-19 in the world. He said that incumbent government believes in Parliamentary supremacy and the legislators being representative of the people can only offer practical solution through parliamentary initiatives.  The Speaker desired that both government and opposition benches should work in collaboration for the welfare of the common people.

Rawalpindi : A Moot On ‘Quaid-E-Azam And Religious Harmony Was Held At Punjab Council Of The Arts In Connection With Birth Anniversary Of Quaid-E-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

The Moot Was Presided Over By Sajada Nasheen Imam Bari Sarkar Pir Syed Muhammad Ali Gillani. Allama Ayaz Zaheer Hashmi, Noor Us Saba, Haji Ikhtikhat Ahmed, Riffat Ali Qaiser And Others Spoke On The Occasion.

The Speakers Stressed That Religious Harmony Can Be Possible By Following The Teaching Of Quaid-E-Azam.