Pervaiz Elahi asks MPs to send budget proposals to Assembly Secretariat

LAHORE:Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi Thursday presided over second video link meeting of All Parties Special Parliamentary Party on Corona in which Provincial Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, Secretary Health Captain (R) Usman and Nabeel Awan briefed about measures in the context of Corona.

Besides Provincial Law Minister Muhammad Basharat, MPAs Nazeer Ahmad Chohan, Sajid Ahmad Khan, Syed Hassan Murtaza, Sardar Ovais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Samiullah Khan, Khwaja Salman Rafique, Amin Zulqarnain, Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh and Muhammad Moavia attended the meeting and put forth their proposals. On this occasion, Punjab Assembly Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti and Parliamentary Affairs Director General Inayatullah Lak were also present.

Ch Pervaiz Elahi said that under Punjab Assembly Rule 133-A pre-budget session was in progress which had to be adjourned due to Covid-19. In this context, assembly members proposals and suggestions are of great importance, as such I want this forum that the parliamentarians should send their proposals to the Assembly Secretariat so that these can be sent to the Finance Department. This Committee meeting regarding pre-budget will also be convened next week as per programme in which Finance Department will also be included for their proposals.

He appreciated efforts made by Dr Yasmin Rashid, Captain (r) Usman and Nabeel Awan for prevention from Covid-19 in Punjab and preventive measures and congratulated them. He said there was a need for improving Corona testing standards. Gujrat's three persons were tested in the government laboratory which results were positive; when they were tested in private laboratory the results were negative, either equipment of these laboratories are not functioning properly or there is any other reason because of which people are getting worried, as such quality of standard will have to be improved.

Pervaiz Elahi said that wheat harvesting season has started, now "baardana" will be distributed and due to rush in these places there can be problems, as such the Food Department and the Health Department together should make special arrangements for protection against Corona. He said that Corona patients should not be maltreated they should be dealt with due and respect.

Provincial Law Minister Basharat Raja said that the Parliamentary Committee recommendations would be presented before the chief minister.

Provincial Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid and senior officers briefed the participants regarding Corona in the Punjab and thanked for supporting the government in making the arrangements.

Dr Yasmin Rashid said that we duly acknowledge with gratitude this effort of PA Speaker Pervaiz Elahi, surely after this conference there would be improvement in the context of arrangements. Khwaja Salman Rafique expressed concern over arrangements in jail regarding Corona, demanded provision of complete protective kits to the jail staff.

Ovais Leghari said that N-95 masks were not being provided, not being apprised clearly about lockdown.

Samiullah Khan said N-League President Shahbaz Sharif had formulated positive proposals regarding Corona. On this, Pervaiz Elahi asked him to submit these proposals in the Assembly Secretariat, these will be forwarded on to the Punjab government.

Syed Hassan Murtaza mentioned about lack of testing facilities in the health centres of his District Chiniot. Muhammad Moavia said that there were reports about people who had fled quarantine centres but it was found afterwards address was wrong on their ID cards.

Sajid Ahmad Khan, Nazeer Ahmad Chohan and Aminul Zulqarnain said that the system should be such that tests should be undertaken by reaching out to the people, Nishan-e-Haider or gold medal should be awarded to the doctors and medical staff fighting against Corona like the army. Ahmad Ali Aulakh said that thousands of people out of those who have come from abroad have not been traced out so far, they should be located. After listening to the proposals and complaints of all members, Speaker Ch Pervaiz Elahi directed the departments concerned that these should be implemented and the Parliamentary Committee should be briefed in the next meeting.