Punjab okays Protection of Women against Violence Bill

LAHORE
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting of Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday giving approval to Punjab Protection of Women Victims against Violence Bill-2015.
The meeting also granted approval to amendments to clause 3 of Punjab Maternity Benefit Ordinance 1958, Stamp Act 1899 and Punjab Commission on the Status of Women Act.
The cabinet also decided to launch e-stamp papers throughout the province under a phased programme. Wheat procurement campaign, law and order and security measures for Zimbabwean cricket team were reviewed.
Addressing the Punjab Cabinet, the chief minister said it had been decided to launch e-stamp papers in the province. He said this historic step would not only result in collection of revenue of billions of rupees but irregularities and fraud in the business of stamp papers would also come to an end. He said modern system of electronic stamp papers will curb illegal occupation of land through bogus stamp papers. He said the revolutionary programme was being started from July.
The chief minister directed e-stamping programme should also be evolved regarding registration of land and final recommendations should be presented as soon as possible. He said wheat procurement campaign was successfully continuing in the province and 2,900,000 metric ton wheat had been procured from the cultivators.
He directed that forensic analysis of the data obtained through electronic registration be undertaken for devising future wheat procurement policy.
Shahbaz Sharif said the visit of Zimbabwean cricket team was an important step towards revival of international cricket in Pakistan. He said the Punjab government had made foolproof security arrangements for the visit of cricket team of Zimbabwe.
He directed the cabinet committee on law and order to review security measures on daily basis during the ongoing visit of Zimbabwean cricket team.
Regarding Punjab Vigilance Committee Bill 2015, presented in the cabinet meeting, the CM said terrorism and extremism are big challenges for the country and all segments of society will have to play their role for dealing with this menace.
He said setting up of vigilance committees is of vital importance for ensuring community participation in the efforts to cope with terrorism.
The CM directed final recommendations regarding Vigilance Committee Bill be presented after consultation with all ministers concerned, departments and institutions.
Shahbaz Sharif directed complete implementation of Marriage Functions Act be ensured and action be taken without any discrimination over its violation.
He said the proposal to review the Marriage Functions Act 1998 for banning one dish and serving of soup in winter and cold drinks in summer be considered. In connection with Punjab Marriage Functions Bill 2015, the CM directed that the bill should be considered from all angles and comprehensive legislation be made for benefiting the poor and the common man. Shahbaz Sharif has said that government is implementing various projects for the welfare and betterment of the masses.
Meanwhile, talking to MPs from different districts, the CM said Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme has been launched in the province which is a unique and the biggest project of construction and rehabilitation of rural roads. He said this project will prove to be a milestone in the progress and prosperity of rural areas.
The CM said huge amount of Rs 15 billion is being spent on Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme during current fiscal year while a target of construction of all rural roads during next three years has been fixed.
Meanwhile, a delegation of international investors in energy sector met the CM. Matters regarding energy projects especially gas and wind power projects were discussed in the meeting. Talking to the delegation, the CM said Pakistan is facing energy crisis, however, the government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is making sincere efforts for controlling loadshedding. He said the Punjab government has completed and operated a 100 megawatts solar power project in Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Bahawalpur with its own resources while work is being carried out expeditiously on a 900 megawatts solar project. Shahbaz Sharif said that planning has been made for generation of 3600 megawatts electricity with gas in Punjab. He said that Punjab government is setting up a 1200 megawatts gas-based power project in the province while federal government will establish a 2400 megawatts energy project. The CM said wind corridors have also been identified in the province for generation of electricity. He said that cooperation of the international group in gas and wind power projects will be welcomed.
Meanwhile, on the directives of Shahbaz Sharif, the team led by member CM’s Public Affairs Unit Muhammad Mansha Ullah Butt visited Kasur and Okara. The team conducted inquiry of the complaints against Mustafabad Police Station SHO and the allegations against the SHO and investigation officer were proved. The team visited police station Depalpur and conducted an inquiry of complaints regarding registration of false cases in the police station and submitted a report to CM.
Shahbaz Sharif expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the death of the father of singer Waris Baig.
The CM took notice of the disability of a man, Shakeel Ahmed, of district Sajawal, Sindh and announced financial assistance of three lakh rupees for him.