The Punjab Assembly on Thursday passed Punjab Aab-e-Pak Authority Bill 2019 with majority. All the amendments of the opposition were rejected. The opposition showed their reservation on making Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar as patron in chief of the authority and walked out from the House as a protest.
PML-N MPA Azma Zahid Bukari announced to challenge the Bill in Lahore High Court. She termed the Bill as interference in the affairs of the province. She questioned that how the powers of executive can be given to the governor. She also termed it against the mandate of the people. Only the chief minister can be the patron chief of any authority, she added.
PML-N MPA Waris Kallu said that the governor is the representative of federation and according to law he cannot be chief executive of any authority. PML-N MPA Malik Ahmad Khan said the government is continuously violating the rules. He also said that the government has passed this Bill and Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Bill in hurry.
He said the government passed the bills of increase in the salaries of members of Punjab Assembly and Punjab Aab-e-Pak Authority Bill 2019, after suspension of rules. In the past, there is no precedence of such kind of legislation. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan is running the affairs of the Punjab against the spirit of 18th Amendment.
While responding to the queries of opposition, Law Minister Raja Basharat said that the standing committee has passed the bill keeping in view its importance. He also said that the governing body will run the authority. "If the governor runs the universities and appoint vice chancellors, he may also become the patron in chief of the authority."
Raja said members of the governing body will be independent people. They can take their decisions. The chief minister will enjoy the real powers but he can consult governor for appointment of chairman. Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervez Elahi questioned that who will be the members of the board of governors of the authority, what will be the role of governor and what type of powers governor will exercise.
Earlier, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar has decided not to sign the bill for increasing salaries of Punjab Assembly members. The Punjab Assembly on Wednesday had unanimously passed a bill increasing the salary, allowances, perks and privileges to each legislator just in 24 hours. PM Imran has expressed his disappointment over Punjab Assembly's decision to raise pays and privileges of its members, chief minister and other ministers.
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