Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that China is satisfied over the progress on China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC) and its second phase has been settled between the two countries. Responding to a point raised by JUI (F) leader Asad Mahmood in the National Assembly on Monday, he said that the second phase of CPEC has been agreed with China which indicates that Beijing is fully satisfied with the corridor.
Responding to another point, he said that he is ready if the opposition wants to discuss foreign policy in the House. He said the House should thoroughly discuss the foreign policy of the country. He said the House should fix a day to discuss the foreign policy.
Regarding another point raised by Asad Mahmood, the minister said there is no change in Pakistan''s policy regarding Israel. It is continuity of the policy about Israel of the previous governments.
To maintain cordial environment in the House, Shah Mahmood Qureshi urged the opposition to cooperate with the treasury benches in running the business of the National Assembly in line with the parliamentary traditions.
He said opposition has the right to raise any matter and lodge protest but it should refrain from creating rumpus in the House.
Later, the House adopted the motion to start debate on Finance Supplementary (Second Amendment) Bill 2019 today (Tuesday) in the House by suspending the business of private members'' day of the National Assembly.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan moved the motion for suspending the business of private member day in the House. The House adopted the motion without any objection.
The members of the House would today (Tuesday) discuss the Finance Supplementary (Second Amendment) Bill 2019; they may give their proposals.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan also presented the recommendations made by the Senate on the Finance Supplementary (Second Amendment) Bill 2019 in the House for a discussion. The government may incorporate some amendments in the Bill.
Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda assured the National Assembly that Pakistan''s share of water under the Indus Waters Treaty is secure and safe. He said that under the Treaty, India has the right over Eastern rivers and it does not affect Pakistan if New Delhi stops the flow of Eastern rivers. Talking about Mohmand Dam, the minister of state said that Rs 18 billion has been saved in negotiation with the bidder. He said out of this amount, Rs 16 billion will be used in the construction of Naulong Dam in Balochistan.
Parliamentary Secretary on Finance Zain Hussain Qureshi of PTI laid reports of the Auditor General for the audit year 2017-18 before the House. He also presented reports of Biannual Monitoring on the Implementation of 7th NFC Award, for the period July to December 2016, January to June 2017 and July to December 2017, as required by clause (3B) of Article 160 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Earlier, former Defence Minister Khawaja Asif requested the Speaker to issue production order for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Khawaja Saad Rafiq. He said that in the past, the previous Speakers had issued production order for Javed Hashmi and other members.
A report on the bill to further amend the Election Act, 2017 [The Election (Amendment) Bill, 2018] was also presented in the House.
He said that the production order for Saad Rafiq is being delayed while in the past such has not been done. "Mr. Speaker, you should give ruling on it," he said.
Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaisar said that he has received a file for production order. He said that he is obtaining legal opinion on it. "I will not disappoint you," he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019

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