National language status for Urdu demanded: Punjab Assembly adopts resolution for wage award implementation

Punjab Assembly in its 30th session held here on Friday unanimously passed a resolution asking for the implementation of Seventh Wage Board. The House showing unison with journalists of the country on a resolution forwarded by MPA Misbah Kaukab also urged the authorities to immediately constitute 8th Wage Board.
The House called for a separate legislation on the pattern of Newspapers Employment Act 1973 for electronic media employees. The resolution demanded for protection of electronic and print media journalists and proper legislation in this regard. Strong support for implementation of wage board was witnessed from treasury as well as opposition benches.
During the session 'The Provincial Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2007 that was kept pending in proceedings in the Thursday session was defeated in the House during the day.
The Bill was moved by MPA Syed Ehsan Ullah Waqas and nine other opposition legislators. The House also passed a unanimous resolution by MPA Tahira Munir asking for authorities to take immediate steps for Urdu language status as national language of the country. The mover of the resolution said that Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in unequivocal terms had declared that Urdu should be the national language of the country.
Punjab Assembly Speaker Afzal Sahi on the occasion stressed the presence of provincial ministers in the House. He said it was vital for conducting the House proceedings properly.
Minister Sports Muhammad Moen-U- Din Riaz Querashi during the question & answer session replying to a query by a legislator told the House that the federal government had released funds of Rs 1 million for construction of stadium at D.G.Khan.
Abdul Aleem Khan, Minister Information Technology replying to a question by MPA Muhammad Iqbal Chunnar averred that persons who were inducted in the department till January 1, 2003 were employed on merit.
Aslam Iqbal, Minister Tourism replying to a query by MPA Talaat Yakoob regarding TDCP Rest House Changha Manga said that the department was running its state of affairs on merit. He disclosed that TDCP Changha Manga Resort generated Rs 5, 37,612 income during 2004-05. The House was prorogued indefinitely later by the Chair.