Punjab Assembly adopts Medical Supplies Authority Bill

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly in its 34th session here Wednesday passed the Punjab Medical Supplies Authority Bill 2017.

The Punjab Hepatitis Ordinance 2017, the Punjab Tianjin University of Technology Lahore Ordinance 2017 and the Punjab Charities Ordinance 2018 were also laid in the house by Punjab Minister for Human Rights & Minorities Affairs Khalil Tahir Sandhu.

Earlier, the third sitting of the 34th session of the current assembly started one hour and 12 minutes late, with PA Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal in the chair. The proceedings remained suspended for half an hour due to lack of quorum.

Soon after the recitation from the Holy verses, Parliamentary Secretary for Interior Rana Afzal answered queries by lawmakers.

He told a questioner Dr Noushin Hamid that out of 6,000 security cameras, 4696 cameras had been installed at the focal points in the Punjab capital. These cameras, he said, would help provide security to the citizens.

He said 3000 more cameras would be placed in police vans for security of important buildings and monitoring public meetings and processions. He also answered queries by MPAs Ahsan Riaz Fatyana, Dr Wasim Akhtar, Mian Aslam Iqbal etc.

The treasury introduced the Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Bahawalpur Bill 2018, the Bahawalpur Development Authority (Repeal) Bill 2018, the Code of Civil Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2018 and the Limitation (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2018 while the Chair referred these bills to the relevant standing committees.

The House also adopted two resolutions to extend the period of validity of the Punjab Hepatitis Ordinance 2017 and the Punjab Tianjin University of Technology Lahore Ordinance 2017 for a further period of ninety days.

Lawmakers during general discussion on sugarcane dwelt at length on grievances related to sugarcane growers. Punjab Minister for Food, Bilal Yasin and Minister Industries Sheikh Allauddin explained the government point of view over the issue in the discussion.

Members from opposition benches staged a walkout when the Chair refused to allow a PTI lawmaker to speak on the Punjab Medical Supplies Authority Bill 2017.

As the day's agenda completed, the Chair adjourned the sitting till next morning on Thursday 10:00 am.