PTI govt fails to debate on agri reforms in National Assembly
ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government yesterday failed to conduct debate on agriculture reforms in National Assembly session due to lack of required strength, absence of concerned ministers.
The chair initiated a debate to discuss the issues of agriculture in the country but opposition pointed empty benches from both sides of aisle and absence of concerned minister.
The chair, with the consent of State Minister for Parliament Ali Muhammad, decided to halt the debate and conduct it in next ‘orders of the day’.
The PML-N leader Murtaza Javed Abbasi, during the debate, asked the chair to postpone the debate till the presence of concerned minister and his staff in the house. Another MNA from opposition Rao Muhammad Ajmal staged walkout from the house, saying the government was not serious to hold debate on it.
The PTI senior MNA and former speaker National Assembly Syed Fakhar Imam, initiating the debate on agriculture, said the agriculture sector was ignored in past. He could not continue debate due to interruption from opposition benches.
At the outset, the house offered fateha for the PAF pilot who was martyred when his plane crashed during rehearsal for Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad.
Earlier, PML-N MNA Shaza Fatima raised the matter of purchasing 20,000 ton sugar from PML-N’s leader Jhangir Tareen. “Why sugar is being purchased only from Jahangir Tareen,” she questioned.
Another opposition member demanded for the formation of parliamentary committee to thoroughly probe the matter without any delay.
Parliamentary secretary Alia Kamran, responding to the concerns raised by opposition MNA, said that despite facing lose in the deal Jahangir Tareen was criticism.
About screening of passengers, Parliamentary Secretary for National Health Services, Nousheen Hamid has said complete screening of passengers landing at Pakistani airports is being ensured to check Coronavirus. She said the staffs engaged in the screening have been provided with complete protective gear.
Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, during question-hour, said Karachi Circular Railway will be operationalized in six months in collaboration with the Sindh government. The minister said the Supreme Court has directed to complete the project in six months. Parliamentary Secretary for Railways Farrukh Habib said 550 vulnerable unmanned level crossings throughout Pakistan Railways network have been upgraded in collaboration with respective provincial governments.
Article source: https://nation.com.pk/12-Mar-2020/pti-govt-fails-to-debate-on-agri-reforms-in-national-assembly