Critical national & global issues: NA adopts series of resolutions
The first resolution, tabled by Shazia Marri of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), condemned in unequivocal terms the Israeli military aggression in Gaza, expressing grave concern over civilian casualties, large-scale destruction of infrastructure, and violations of international humanitarian law.
The resolution also denounced recent statements from Israeli authorities regarding the long-term occupation of Gaza and the forced displacement of its population, characterising such actions as war crimes under international law.
The house called upon the United Nations and the broader international community to intervene decisively to halt hostilities, ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, and uphold the rights of the Palestinian people, including their pursuit of self-determination.
It urged the government to raise the issue forcefully at global forums such as the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
In a separate resolution, Shahida Rehmani, also of the PPP, drew the House's attention to the rising incidents of so-called honour killings across various provinces.
The resolution underscored the need for a zero-tolerance approach to such crimes and proposed the formation of an interprovincial task force to coordinate efforts in combating this form of violence.
Another significant resolution, introduced by NosheenIftikhar of the Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N), addressed the protection of citizens' fundamental rights in the digital sphere.
It advocated for stricter legislation against unauthorised video recordings, cyber harassment, and digital defamation. It further recommended bolstering the capacity of law enforcement agencies, especially digital forensic units, and called for the establishment of complaint desks within police stations.
The resolution also proposed the integration of educational content on digital ethics, privacy rights, and anti-harassment legislation into school curricula, alongside the launch of public awareness campaigns to inform citizens of their digital rights and available legal remedies.
In legislative business, the House passed two bills: the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, both tabled by Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry.
Additionally, the government introduced the Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Motor Vehicles Industry Development Bill, 2025, also moved by Chaudhry.
Two ordinances were laid before the House: the Capital Development Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, presented by the Minister of State for Interior, and the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority Ordinance, 2025, tabled by Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain.
Addressing a calling attention notice, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry stated that a major water infrastructure project is under consideration to address the water requirements of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. He added that the installation of recharge wells is also underway to enhance groundwater levels.
On the matter of Utility Stores Corporation (USC) employees, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry informed the House that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a committee to explore a golden handshake scheme for resolving outstanding employee issues.
In a separate briefing, Minister of State for Climate Change, Shezra Kharal, said that a national climate finance strategy is in the works to promote green financing both domestically and internationally.
She highlighted the launch of the Recharge Pakistan initiative, aimed at ensuring water conservation and building climate-resilient infrastructure. Collaborative efforts with provincial governments are also underway to curb deforestation, she added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
11 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan condemns Israel's Gaza plan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a review meeting on Hajj arrangements for the upcoming year in Islamabad on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Photo courtesy: Radio Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday strongly condemned the Israeli cabinet's recent approval of a plan to assume control of Gaza City, calling it illegal and illegitimate and warning that the move represents a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict in Palestine. In a statement posted on his official X account, PM Sharif said the latest development would only deepen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and derail all prospects for peace in the region. "We strongly condemn the Israeli cabinet's approval of a plan to take illegal and illegitimate control of Gaza City. This tantamounts to a dangerous escalation in an already catastrophic war against the people of Palestine," the prime minister said. He emphasized that the root cause of the ongoing tragedy is Israel's "prolonged, illegal occupation of Palestinian territory," which he said continues to block any meaningful path to lasting peace. "As long as this occupation endures, peace will remain elusive," PM Sharif warned. The prime minister reiterated Pakistan's unwavering support for the Palestinian people, reaffirming their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, in accordance with United Nations and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) resolutions. Calling on the international community, PM Sharif urged urgent intervention to stop what he described as Israel's "unwarranted aggression," to protect innocent civilians, and to ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Meanwhile, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan condemned in the strongest terms the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by thousands of Israeli settlers, including senior officials and Knesset members. "These provocations, accompanied by offensive declarations, are deliberate attempts to inflame religious sentiments and destabilize the region," he warned.
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Lawmakers award themselves hefty pay, perks increase
The Sindh Assembly on Friday passed three pieces of legislation, including a bill increasing the salaries and privileges of its members, the Sindh Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Anti-Terrorism Sindh (Amendment) Bill 2025. The bills were moved by Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ziaul Hassan Lanjar during a session chaired by Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah. The House unanimously approved the salary and allowances bill, which was earlier cleared by the provincial cabinet on August 7. The new law equalises privileges for MPAs — both from government and opposition — covering hospitality, house rent, utilities, daily and conveyance allowances, accommodation, travel and mileage, telephone and medical facilities, as well as office maintenance. The leader of the opposition will now receive the same salary and perks as a provincial minister. Parliamentary committee chairpersons will be entitled to use an official vehicle — with fuel and maintenance — but must return it within three days of vacating the post. The Sindh Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) Bill 2025, passed by a majority vote, allows the appointment of BPS-20 and 21 officers as chairpersons of education boards. Lanjar said the move aimed to induct competent officers for better board performance. MQM-Pakistan's Sabir Qaimkhani, however, called for sending the bill to the relevant committee for further deliberation to safeguard board autonomy - a suggestion that was rejected by the House. The assembly also adopted the Anti-Terrorism Sindh (Amendment) Bill 2025. Details of the changes were not immediately debated on the floor. Speaker Shah announced that a special sitting will be held on August 11 at the old assembly building to mark Minority Day, with representatives of minority communities invited to participate. A privilege motion by MQM-Pakistan's Ammar Siddiqui on gas supply issues was rejected on technical grounds. During the question hour for the Auqaf Department, Parliamentary Secretary Shazia Sanghar replied to written and supplementary questions from members.
Business Recorder
2 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Sindh PA passes bill to raise members' salaries
KARACHI: In a rare moment of unanimous consensus, Sindh Assembly lawmakers on Friday passed a bill to significantly raise their own salaries and entitlements, sparking eyebrows over the timing and priorities of the House. The legislature also voted on two other key bills in its proceedings. The three bills passed during the session included the Sindh Lawmakers' Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill, the Sindh Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Anti-Terrorism (Sindh Amendment) Bill 2025. All three bills were tabled by Sindh Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Zia Ul Hassan Lanjar, during a session chaired by Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah. The most talked-about among them was undoubtedly the bill granting lawmakers enhanced financial privileges. Introduced and approved clause by clause, the bill received unanimous backing from both treasury and opposition benches, passing without objection. The Sindh Cabinet had earlier green lit the draft during its meeting on August 7. With the Assembly's stamp now secured, lawmakers from both government and opposition will enjoy a slew of new benefits. These included hospitality allowance, house rent, utility allowance, daily allowance, conveyance and accommodation allowance, travel and mileage allowance, free travel facility, telephone privileges, medical treatment coverage, office maintenance allowance, and any future perks recommended by a parliamentary committee. The newly passed legislation also upgrades the status of the Leader of the Opposition, who will now receive a salary and perks equal to those of a provincial minister. Additionally, chairpersons of various parliamentary committees will now be eligible for numerous allowances. However, they will be entitled to only one official vehicle during their tenure—though fuel and maintenance costs will be covered. Upon vacating the position, they must return the vehicle within three days. Separately, the Assembly also passed—by majority vote — the Sindh Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) Bill 2025. Explaining its purpose, Lanjar said the amendment aims to update the original 1972 ordinance, which previously tied the chairman's post to officers in grades 20 or 21. Under the new law, officers from both grades can now be appointed, supposedly to improve the functioning of educational boards by attracting competent officers. MQM's legislator, Sabir Kaim khani welcomed efforts to improve the boards' performance but criticized the government for sidelining the opposition's input during committee deliberations. He called for the bill to be sent back for further debate—an idea rejected by the minister. The Speaker proceeded with a voice vote, and the bill was passed by majority. Also approved during the session was the Anti-Terrorism (Sindh Amendment) Bill 2025. Meanwhile, Speaker Awais Qadir Shah announced that a special Assembly session will be held at the Old Assembly Building on Monday, August 11, to observe Minority Day. Members of religious minority communities will be invited to attend and speak. A privilege motion moved by MQM's Aamir Siddiqui regarding gas supply issues in his constituency was dismissed on technical grounds. During the session, the Assembly also held a question hour pertaining to the Auqaf Department with Parliamentary Secretary, Shazia Umar responding to both written and supplementary queries raised by members. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
