Islamabad, July 12, 2023 (PPI-OT): Taking cognizance of the inordinate delay in issuance of Arms licenses by the Ministry of Interior, the Committee summoned Secretary, M/O Interior, along with his Team dealing with issuance of Arms licenses. The Officials of the Ministry of Interior had been directed to attend the meeting of the Committee scheduled on 12th July, 2023, in the Parliament House, Islamabad. This decision was taken in the 52nd meeting of the Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges which was held today in the Parliament House Islamabad under the Chairmanship of Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, MNA.
The Question of Privilege raised by the Deputy Speaker regarding allegedly disrespectful behaviour of Dr. Muhammad Ejaz, Ambassador of Pakistan in Qattar and Mr. Masood Gul, Deputy Head of Mission/Counsellor; the Committee while accepting the unconditional personal apology, disposed of the Matter. The Committee further directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue necessary directions to all the Pakistani Missions abroad to be courteous to Pakistanis living abroad and resolve their problems. The Committee observed that the Officials of Pakistani Missions were inaccessible to public. The Director General Middle East assured the Committee that directions of the Committee would be conveyed for strict compliance. The matter has been disposed of. Moreover, the other questions of privileges raised by the Honourable Deputy Speaker were pended.
The Question of Privilege raised by Ms. Romina Khursheed Alam, MNA, regarding alleged baseless propaganda on social, print and electronic media concerning attendance of CPA Conference by a Parliamentary delegation which was held in Canada, the DG, PEMRA, apprised the Committee that as per directions of the Committee, a joint meeting was held with the Mover and the issue was discussed at length. The Director General (Law), PTA, apprised that the relevant laws i.e. PECA Law was being reviewed and the draft rules had been submitted to the Ministry of Law and Justice for vetting. Their response was awaited. The Committee directed the DG, Ministry of Information Technology, and DG (Law), PTA, to pursue the case vigorously and submit report to the Committee within a week. The issue has been pended till final report by the concerned.
The Question of Privilege raised by Syed Agha Rafiullah, MNA, regarding supply of incorrect reply to his Question No. 6 regarding departmental promotions of Associated Press of Pakistan (APP); the Executive Director, APP, informed the Committee that the needful has already been done and a report will be submitted within a week. The Committee pended the Question of Privilege.
On the Point of Order moved by Sheikh Rohale Asghar, MNA, regarding statement about Quaid-e-Azam by Mr. Oriya Maqbool Jan, the DG, PEMRA, informed the Committee that detailed SOPs have been issued to all concerned while two notices were served to Mr. Oriya Maqbool Jan. The Committee pended the Question of Privilege.
The Questions of Privilege moved by MNAs; Mr. Ali Nawaz Shah, Syed Hussain Tariq and Mr. Qadir Khan Mandokhel, were pended by the Committee due to non-attendance of meeting by the Movers. On another QoP moved by Mr. Qadir Khan Mandokhel, MNA, regarding misbehaviour of MD, National Fertilizer Company with the Mover, the Additional Secretary, M/o Industries and Production, apprised that the officer was found guilty and had been directed to report to Establishment Division. The Committee appreciated the action taken by the Ministry of Industries and Production and disposed of the Question of Privilege.
The Question of Privilege raised by Ms. Asiya Azeem regarding AD, FIA (legal), has been pended and the Committee directed the Director, FIA, to appoint new inquiry officer to probe the matter and submit report to the Committee within seven days. The Question of Privilege, raised by Dr. Nafisa Shah, MNA regarding non-maintenance of Kitchen of Parliament Lodges, the CDA representatives apprised the committee that issues have been addressed almost. Therefore, the Committee has disposed of the issue.
The Starred Question No.3 raised by Ms. Shagufta Jumani, MNA relating to partially constructed infrastructure by CDA and the matter raised by Sheikh Rohale Asghar, MNA regarding bad condition of Parliament Lodges and MNA’s Hostel, Islamabad, the CDA authorities apprised the Committee about the steps taken by them and release of required funds for the purpose. The Committee disposed of the matter subject to the satisfaction of the Movers.
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