News
NA committee to probe Dasti’s allegations* Seven-member committee to present findings in fifteen days * House passes resolution for provision of free-of-cost CNICs
By Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: The Jamshed Dasti allegations saga figured again in the National Assembly on Tuesday when a house committee was formed to probe the allegations of immoral activities by parliamentarians in the Parliament Lodges.
The seven-member committee comprises of Imran Zafar Laghari, Arif Alvi, Rohail Asghar, Mian Manan, Shahida Akhtar Ali, Sohail Mansoor and Kazim Ali Shah. The committee will present its findings in fifteen days. During the National Assembly session, Zahid Hamid proposed the committee consisting seven assembly members to probe the allegations and was unanimously approved by the house.
On the private member day, the house also passed a resolution to provide Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) free of cost to the citizens. The resolution tabled by PML-N MNA Khalida Mansoor recommended to provide CNIC free of charges to the citizens. Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz speaking on the foreign policy said that integrated policies to steer country out of prevailing problems is the need of hour and present government is working on these lines.
He felt that the issues cannot be resolved with patch-work and isolated approach. But, we need to have visionary and integrated policies”, he said in National Assembly in his statement on foreign policy. The Advisor said that the government is devising future policies keeping in view these changes and preparing defence and foreign policies that shall be presented before the House within next few weeks.
Focusing on four areas required to be focused he said that the advisor said, internal security and policy of non-interference; economic development through trade and not aid; fully benefiting from geographical location; and promoting Pakistan’s image by strengthening democracy and economic institutions in the country shall be basic components of our policies. He said the internal and external threats are also being kept under consideration while framing our policies and he has been briefing the House and Standing Committees on these issues. The opinion of the House will also be fully taken care of while framing these policies.
Responding to a calling attention notice, State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmed stated that Establishment Division has issued no notification to lay off contractual employees from different ministries and divisions. He explained that a letter from Prime Minister Secretariat is just meant to review the position of contractual and daily wages employees. These ministries and divisions have also been directed to write back to the Prime Minister about the position as well as recommendations if they need these employees. The two bills were laid before the house including The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and The Hindu Marriage Bill, 2014.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk