Sitting on 14th November 2024

The sitting commenced with recitation from the Holy Qur’an and its Urdu translation, followed by Naat-e-Rasool-e-Maqbool ﷺ and National Anthem.

·       Mr Sami Ullah Khan moved a motion that the requirements of rule 244-A of Rules of Procedure of Provincial Assembly of the Punjab 1997 be dispensed with under rule 234, for taking motions for amendments in the said Rules. The motion was carried.

·       Mr Sami Ullah Khan moved a motion that leave be granted by the House to move the proposed amendments in the Rules of Procedure of Provincial Assembly of the Punjab 1997.

·       Mr Sami Ullah Khan moved a motion that the proposed amendments in the Rules of Procedure of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab 1997 be taken into consideration at once. The motion was carried.

·       Mr Sami Ullah Khan moved a motion that the proposed amendments in the Rules of Procedure of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab 1997, be passed. The motion was carried and the proposed Amendments were passed.

Mr. Mujtaba Shuja Ur Rehman, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, moved a resolution that due to political unrest in June 2022, the Punjab Assembly held two parallel 41^st sessions—one at the Assembly Chambers and another at Aiwan-e-Iqbal. Both sessions passed key legislation, as well as budget and amendments in the rule; however the Aiwan-e-Iqbal proceedings were left out of official records. This resolution validates both sessions and also recommends to add verbatim of proceedings in the official record. The House adopted the resolution.

Questions relating to Sports Department were asked and answered by Mr Faisal Ayub, Minister concerned.

1.

Ms Uzma Kardar moved her notice that as per TV and newspapers reported that a girl was murdered in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Lahore, while a rickshaw driver was seriously injured. She requested to apprise the House regarding investigation details and current updates.

Pended for reply by the Minister concerned.

2.

Mr Falbous Christopher moved his notice regarding reported sexual assault of a 6 1/2-years-old Christian girl by a security guard at Yousafabad school. He requested to apprise the House regarding status of FIR and legal action taken so far.

Pended for reply by the Minister concerned.

3.

Mr Ahmar Bhatti’s call attention notice.

Disposed of as per request from mover.

Mr Speaker gave his ruling on the point of order raised by Mr Ahmar Bhatti MPA regarding non constitution of the Provincial and District Public Safety and Complaints Commission under the Police Order 2002. For complete text of the ruling, click here (https://www.pap.gov.pk/uploads/downloads/ruling_6.pdf).

1.

Mr Mumtaz Ahmad’s privilege motion.

Pended (Mover not present).

2.

Ms Sunbal Malik Hussain’s privilege motion.

Referred to Committee on Privileges.

3.

Mr Muhammad Nadeeem Qureshi moved his motion that a student's admission process in Multan faced arbitrary merit policies, lack of transparency and disregard for government guidelines including ignoring an assembly member's inquiry.

Referred to Committee on Privileges.

1.

Two motions of Mr Mumtaz Ahmad

Pended (Mover not present).

2.

Mr Amjad Ali Javed moved a motion that closure of BS programs in rural government colleges by HEC and the Higher Education Department threatens to deprive thousands of underprivileged students access to higher education; favoring elite interests and commercial private institutions.

Pended for reply by the Minister concerned.

3.

Mr Muhammad Adnan Dogar moved a motion that Multan’s cherished parks, essential for its environment and citizens, face destruction for construction projects, threatening the city’s greenery and public health.

Pended for reply by the Minister concerned.

4.

Mr Ahmad Khan’s motion.

Pended (Mover not present).

5.

Mr Nadeem Sadiq Dogar’s motion.

Pended (Mover not present).

6.

Mr Arif Mehmood Gill’s motion

Pended (Mover not present).

7.

Mr Amjad Ali Javed’s motion

Pended for reply by the Minister concerned.

8.

Ms Hameeda Mian moved her motion that Punjab Livestock Department must urgently adopt and update the outdated Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1890 to address inadequate penalties and combat inhumane animal treatment.

Pended for reply by the Minister concerned.

9.

Mr Hassan Ali moved his motion that newly renovated Gujranwala Civil Hospital, despite a two-billion-rupee budget, faces operational failures, mismanagement, and public outrage over inadequate medical services.

Pended for reply by the Minister concerned.

Sardar Muhammad Awais Dreshak moved a motion that a Green Caucus be established in the Provincial Assembly of Punjab, open to all Members interested in environmental issues. The Honourable Speaker may nominate a select group from the Caucus to develop its rules and operational guidelines. The Environmental Protection Department and relevant stakeholders shall extend their support to the Caucus, ensuring that the Assembly sets a benchmark for environmentally sustainable governance in Punjab. The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr Mujtaba Shuja Ur Rehman, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, laid in the House the following audit. reports which were referred to the concerned Public Accounts Committee for examination and report within one year:

1.     Audit Report on the Accounts of Local Governments of Punjab (South), for the Audit Year 2023-24.

2.     Audit Report on the Accounts of Public Sector Companies of Punjab (South), for the Audit Year 2023-24.

3.     Audit Report on the Accounts of Provincial Zakat Fund and District Zakat Committees, Punjab, for the Audit Year 2023-24.

4.     Audit Reports on the Accounts of Climate Change, Environment and Disaster Management Organizations of the Government of Punjab, for the Audit Years 2022-23 and 2023-24

Suspension of Rules

Mr. Mujtaba Shuja Ur Rehman moved separate motions that the requirements of rule 95 and all other relevant rules of the Rules of Procedure of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab 1997 may be dispensed with under rule 234 of the said Rules for immediate consideration of The Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024 and The Punjab Agricultural Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2024. The motions were carried.

THE REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 2024 (BILL No. 17 of 2024)

·       The Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024, as recommended by Standing Committee on Revenue, Relief and Consolidation was taken up. Mr Mujtaba Shuja Ur Rehman, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, moved for consideration of the Bill.

·       The Bill was passed by the Assembly.

·        

THE PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL INCOME TAX (AMENDMENT) BILL 2024 (Bill No. 18 of 2024)

·       The Punjab Agricultural Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2024, as recommended by Standing Committee on Revenue, Relief and Consolidation was taken up. Mr Mujtaba Shuja Ur Rehman, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, moved for consideration of the Bill.

·       The Opposition Members moved their amendments in the Bill which were voted out by the Assembly. Thereafter the Bill was passed by the Assembly.

The House was adjourned sine die.