Opp stages walkout against GRAP, vulgar ads on PTV

ISLAMABAD—Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) strongly protested against Gender Reform Action Plan (GRAP) and staged a walkout over not presenting the Plan by the government in National Assembly on Thursday. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) lawmakers also participated in protest walkout. Taking the floor during question hour, Prime Minister advisor on women development Nilofer Bakhtiar said that GRAP has been initiated for eliminating discrimination against women besides making them independent and giving them political parties representation.
She said that government was ready to amend GRAP in the light of opposition’s suggestions for it. Ms Bakhtiar told the lower house that four conferences on women have been organized in Pakistan but government did not sign any international accord in this respect during last two years. She said that number of projects have been started in different areas for women. To a question, Federal Minister for Railways Shamim Haider told NA that railways raised fare from 5 to 10 per cent due to extra expenses during last three years.
Railways had to bear the extra burden of 1.27 billion due to raise in fuel prices during current year, he added. Minister for Social Welfare Zubaida Jalal said that Rs 129.314 million has been given to 7142 quake affectees from Baitul Mall fund and the detail in this regard is available on website. She observed that ban has been imposed on the adoption of quake-hit abandoned children. Ms Jalal noted that her ministry has set up three Centers for 379 quake-stricken abandoned children.
Over 200 orphans and abandoned children are living in a center in Attock, she added. Minister said that the child adopted by Hadiqa Kyani was given to her by minor’s grandfather while AJK government gave 18 quake-hit children to princesses Salma Agha Khan for providing them (children) shelter in SOS village. Ms Jalal clarified that Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie did not adopt any Pakistani child. Law Minister Wasi Zafar said that government itself would look after quake-hit children adding, we can not distribute worst-hit minors among people.
To a question Parliamentary Secretary Food Rajab Baloch told lower house that projects worth Rs 4 billion has been initiated for agricultural development. He noted that agricultural loans mark-up has been reduced from 14 to 9 per cent and now Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited could not get arrested the defaulters farmers. Secretary said that Rs 66 billion will be spent for repairing water courses.
Earlier, PPP-P MNA Naheed Khan staged a walkout when NA Speaker did not allow to speak on point of order. However, other opposition lawmaker did not walkout the assembly after which Syed Khurshid Shah bring her back in the house. Speaking on point of order, treasury benches member Niaz Ahmed Jhakar said that in his constituency, landlord Abdul Rehman Khitran has kept hostage Ghulam Murtaza and his wife since last ten days and demanding for Rs 500,000 for their release. He added that step must be taken for the release of Ghulam Murtaza and his wife.
Zahir Abbas Khokar of People’s Party Patriot said that government should formulate policy regarding private medical colleges, as unaffiliated medical colleges are playing with students future. On point of order, PPPP MNA Raja Pervez Ashraf said that workers of Pakistan Petroleum Limited Worker Union, Karachi has been arrested during a meeting without any FIR. He added house should be told that at what place arrests have been kept.—Online