Law Minister Tells Opposition Punjab Assembly Speaker Can't Issue Production Orders

Punjab Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Muhammad Basharat Raja told the House on Thursday that the provincial assembly speaker could not issue production orders for any MPA, neither through a motion nor a resolution He was speaking in the Punjab Assembly in response to a demand by Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) MPA Waris Kallu about issuance of production order for Khawaja Salman Rafique, a PML-N MPA, who is currently in the custody of National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Dec, 2018 ) :Punjab Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Muhammad Basharat Raja told the House on Thursday that the provincial assembly speaker could not issue production orders for any MPA, neither through a motion nor a resolution He was speaking in the Punjab Assembly in response to a demand by Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) MPA Waris Kallu about issuance of production order for Khawaja Salman Rafique, a PML-N MPA, who is currently in the custody of National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The minister said that he had discussed at length the matter with the Attorney General Punjab and found out that there was no room for such a relaxation, saying that how a lawmaker, who had been detained under the court orders, could be brought to the House.

Taking the floor of the House, Provincial Minister for Public Prosecution Chaudhry Zaheerud Din suggested to the opposition not to press for its illogical demand, and bring an amendment to the assembly rules. He recalled that in 2011, he had proposed to introduce an amendment to the assembly rules regarding members' production order by the speaker. But, he said, the then government turned down his proposal as he was in the opposition.

Meanwhile, Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi remarked that provincial assemblies had no authority to issue production order for any lawmaker, detained under the government orders. Only National Assembly Speaker, he said, could exercise this power. He questioned that as to why the PML-N led government, during its 10 years rule, did not amend the assembly rules.

He recalled that even during its tenure, the Sharif family enjoyed total perks. He said that what former Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah did in Model Town, was known to everyone, but the PML-N lawmakers did not ask him about it.

Earlier, the ninth sitting of the fifth session of the current assembly started an hour and 13 minutes behind its schedule with Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi in the chair.

As many as 80 MPAs were present at the outset of the sitting.

Opposition leader Hamza Shehbaz had been absent since the inception of the current session.

Soon after recitation from the Holy Quran, Provincial Minister for Industries, Commerce and Investment Mian Aslam Iqbal, answering queries by lawmakers during Question-Hour session, told the House that the Punjab government was offering ideal incentive package to woo both local and foreign investors.

He said that though the government had inherited ailing economy, special efforts were being made for revival of sick units. He said that he was holding regular meetings with business entrepreneurs for setting up of industries across the province.

Ministers for Cooperatives and Youth Affairs and sports also responded to members' questions regarding their departments.

The House adopted a motion by Minister for Women Development Ashufa Riaz to discuss the annual report of the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women for the year 2016.

On completion of the day's agenda, the chair adjournedthe House to meet again on Friday, Dec 14 at 9am.