HASSAN ABBAS
LAHORE: PML (N) MPA Amjad Ali Javed on Thursday called for the closure of the Punjab Provincial Cooperative Bank, describing such departments as "white elephants" that unnecessarily drain resources.
While speaking on the floor of the Punjab Assembly Amjad said that bank should follow the example of the Population Welfare Department, which was previously merged into the Health Department.
Javed proposed that the Punjab Provincial Cooperative Bank should similarly be integrated into another department to streamline operations and reduce wasteful expenditures.
The Punjab Assembly session commenced with a delay of 3 hours and 56 minutes under the chairmanship of Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan.
Fatiha was offered in the house for the martyred military personnel in the Jaffar Express terrorist attack and for the late Hussain Raza, brother of MPA Sonia Ali.
Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan addressed the water issue in the house, highlighting the ongoing water dispute between Sindh and Punjab. He stated that if Punjab is taking Sindh's share, it should not be done. He further added that if an agreement exists between Sindh and Punjab regarding water, it is not an issue which can't be solved
Government member Shahbaz Ali Khokhar expressed dissatisfaction over the delayed response from the Mutual Aid Department, stating that if a question is answered after ten months, only five questions will be answered in five years. He deemed this process unacceptable.
The opposition demanded the release of PTI's founder and entered the Punjab Assembly through alleged irregularities, raising loud slogans that echoed in the house. The Speaker issued instructions prohibiting the display of placards in the assembly.
On the proposal of government member Saeed Akbar Khan Nawani, the Speaker announced that Friday's session would start on time. Deputy Speaker Zahid Iqbal Channar referred the matter of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies exceeding his authority to a committee.
Opposition member Moon Shah presented a motion of adjournment in the house, which was referred to the relevant committee. Upon completion of the agenda, Deputy Speaker Zahid Iqbal Channar adjourned the Punjab Assembly session until 2 PM on Friday. At the request of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, the Deputy Speaker announced that the Friday session, previously held in the old assembly building, would now take place in the new Punjab Assembly building.
Earlier, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan spoke to the media outside the Punjab Assembly, sharing his views on national and international matters. He emphasized the importance of dialogue, counter-terrorism, Indian interference, and regional peace.
Khan stated that he firmly believes in negotiations but warned that when armed groups attack the state of Pakistan, there will be no option but to take action against them. He strongly criticized India, calling it a terrorist state that falsely accuses Pakistan of terrorism. Referring to the arrest of Kulbhushan Jadhav from Balochistan, Khan highlighted evidence of Indian interference, which he said weakens India's case against Pakistan.
The Punjab Assembly Speaker asserted that India's global campaign against Pakistan is further undermined by recent incidents of Indian-sponsored terrorism. He condemned terrorists as cowards, accusing them of using civilians as shields during attacks.
Despite India's terrorist activities in Balochistan, Khan praised the resilience of the Pakistani people. He referenced the Pulwama incident, calling it a shameful event unlike anything seen before in the current situation.
Khan also condemned the ongoing genocide in Gaza but stressed that attacks on innocent civilians by separatists, supported by any country, are unacceptable. He described the recent train attack in Balochistan as a form of warfare initiated by India.
Khan paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Pakistani armed forces and security personnel, stating that Pakistan's military is among the best in the world and fully capable of countering Indian-sponsored terrorism. He acknowledged that while there may have been mistakes in granting political rights, the terrorists in Balochistan have no local support. He emphasized that there is no room for dialogue with a handful of terrorists funded by India.
Khan reiterated that dialogue is the solution to any problem, but when force is used, it becomes a battle. He expressed his condolences to the families of those martyred in terrorist attacks and stood in solidarity with them.
Ends
13-3-2025
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