Ag Online
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly (NA) on Friday witnessed a steamy session when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA Sheryar Afridi said to the Speaker: “Curse be fall upon thee hundred thousand times.”
His remarks elicited slogans of “shame, shame” from the ruling alliance members. Afridi started the ruckus when PTI lawmakers were not allowed to speak by the NA deputy speaker. Earlier, the NA passed a motion to constitute a 10-member special committee to review cases pertaining to child abuse to prevent tragic incidents. The special committee will review child abuse related laws and would also address legal remedies, effective investigation and speedy prosecution.
Minster for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab moved the motion for constitution of the special committee, which would present its report before the House within a month.
The committee members include Talal Chaudhary, Marriyam Orangzeb, Zahid Hamid, Shaita Pervaiz, Shahida Akhtar Ali, Romina Khurshid , Azra Fazl Pechuho, Eng.Muhammad Khan , Kihwar Zehra and Sahibzada Tariqullah.
According to the motion, the speaker is authorised to make such changes in the composition of the committee as and when so required. It further mentioned that the members would recommend measures to stop child abuse cases such as Zainab taking place all over the country. The house members have already conducted a debate over the Kasur tragedy. The lawmakers, strongly condemning the incident, gave suggestions including ‘public execution’.
During the question hour, the House was informed that the National Commission for Child Welfare and Development has undertaken various activities during 2016-17. Due to efforts of the Commission, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2016 has been enacted which criminalises child exposure to seduction, child pornography, cruelty to a child, trafficking in human beings and child sexual abuse. Moreover, sensitization workshops have been conducted at Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore on the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2016.
In order to effectively coordinate, monitor and promote the Rights of the Child, the National Commission on the Rights of the Child Act, 2017 has been promulgated. The Commission will examine existing laws relating to child and propose new legislations related to child rights.
The House was informed that the ICT Child Protection Bill, 2017 has been drafted in consultation with relevant stakeholders. The Bill provides for formation of Child Protection Board, establishment of child protection institutions and granting license to such institutions/child protection centers.
Minister of State for SAFRON Ghalib Khan, responding to call-attention notice, said Pakistan Army is making effort trying to clear area from land-mines explosion in South Waziristan Agency resulting in to deaths of hundreds of innocent tribal people.
To a question about compensation for affected tribesmen, minister agreed with lawmakers for improper compensation. Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi adjourned proceedings of the House when Murad Saeed of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) pointed out lack of quorum.
Murad Saeed raised question of quorum in the House after he was not allowed to speak on a point of order. Perhaps he wanted to respond to strong reaction coming from the NA to indecent remarks of PTI chairman against the Parliament.
