Govt takes back 11 ordinances, opposition withdraws motion against Qasim Suri

ISLAMABAD: The government on Friday withdrew all 11 ordinances that were passed by the National Assembly on November 7, as the opposition retracted a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri.

The rare bonhomie was on display after yesterday’s successful negotiations between the government and the opposition. PPP leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf lauded the latest developments in the lower house. 

The opposition had filed a no-confidence motion against Suri after the government had bulldozed 11 ordinances in the lower house without following any parliamentary procedures on November 7.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Asad Umer, while speaking on the assembly floor, said that the government does not wish to make the speaker and deputy speaker’s roles controversial.

PML-N leader Khawaja Asif, while announcing the decision to take back the no-confidence motion, said that now the relevant committees will go through the bills and they will then be passed by the house.

Question Hour 

During the question hour, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan told the House that a nationwide poverty survey is underway to update the data of the Benazir Income Support Programme.

He said that the survey is expected to be completed by mid of next year and its data will be shared. 

Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change Rukhsana Naveed told the House that ban on plastic bag has fully been implemented in the federal capital. She added that the violators of the ban are also being fined. 

Responding to a calling attention notice, Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari said that the present government has started the process to ensure implementation of legislation aimed at protecting the rights of children.

Expressing concerns over the incidents of child abuse, she said "we have decided to develop a sex offender registry." 

Mazari said that an awareness campaign has also been started against child abuse in all schools of the federal capital. 

The minster also announced that for the first time the government has started a child labour survey which will be completed by June next year.