Senate refers Journalists, Education Acts 2011 to committees
By Ijaz Kakakhel
ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Monday referred the Journalists Protection and Welfare Act 2011 to Standing Committee for Information and Broadcasting, which after approval would be implemented across the country.
Jamaat Islami (JI) Senator Prof Khurshid presented the bill, while anther bill of same nature, which was on the agenda, was clubbed to it, as all political parties presented the unanimous bill. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Firdus Ashiq Awan said the government was already doing a lot for the protection and welfare of journalists. She said Rs0.5 million would be given to family of a journalist if he/she martyred during duty. Stipend/scholarship would also be given to a child of journalist and Rs50,000 would be given for wedding of daughter of a journalist. She informed the senators that the Prime Minister has already given Rs200 million and consultation was in progress with journalist organizations for proper implementation. She said if the new Journalists Protection and Welfare Act had some thing above these things then the act should be introduced in the House.
Prof Khurshid said that main purpose of the bill was to give legal status to the measures taken for welfare of journalists. He said the bill was prepared keeping in view the legislation in Australia regarding welfare of journalists.
The Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2011 in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) was also tabled in the House. The House approved the bill and referred it to the Special Committee of Cabinet for further consideration.
Derogatory remarks: Earlier, the senators called upon the leaders and representatives of all political parties to refrain from passing derogatory remarks against each other. Sabir Baloch on a point of order criticised Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mian Shahbaz Sharif for using derogatory remarks against President Asif Ali Zardari.
Raja Zafarul Haq of PML-N said that there should not be violence in politics. Each and every person should have to respect each other instead of passing derogatory remarks. PPP Senator Salahuddin Dogar said the President was an elected representative of the country and any derogatory remarks against him were violation of the Constitution.
Walkout: Hafiz Rasheed on his point of order condemned drone attacks in FATA. He also regretted that developmental funds were not being provided to FATA senators, which created sense of deprivation among them. He requested the House to take FATA issue as serious and appropriate measures should be taken to stop the drone attacks and killing of innocent people there. As protest, Hafize Rasheed along with three other FATA senators walked out from the Senate.
Meanwhile, the House took up a privilege motion of Ilyas Khan Bilour and referred it to the committee concerned. Jamal Laghari also moved a privilege motion against PIA authorities for missing his luggage at Islamabad airport and the House referred it to the privilege committee. Nayyar Bokhari said that the federal government in consultation with provincial governments would set up Drug Regulatory Authority as health ministry had been devolved under 18th Amendment. Azam Swati sought ruling of the chair over dual citizenship of parliamentarians and said that Article 63 (c) of the Constitution should be implemented in letter and spirit.
Source: Daily Times
Date:11/1/2011
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