The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday pointed the finger at Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over failure of the result transmission system (RTS) installed by the previous government ahead of the July 25 general elections.
“RTS was developed by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) during the PML-N’s rule. They deputed NADRA and ECP officials to develop and install it … they are responsible,” PTI Senator Azam Swati said during a debate in the Upper House of parliament.
Former Senate chairman and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Raza Rabbani alleged that the previous government wanted to whitewash its negligence by forming a committee of its choosing to scrutinise the matter. He called for forming a parliamentary commission to further probe the fiasco.
The opposition walked out of the Senate session in protest after Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid said the land belonging to the railways ministry was ‘not anybody’s father’s property’. Members of the opposition bench protested the use of ‘non-parliamentary language’ by the railways minister.
During the session, Sheikh Rashid said the ministry owned 20,000 acres of land that was not in use. But, he added, they would leave it on to the cabinet to decide whether it should be sold or leased out.
The minister said they will be auctioning off trains and wagons that have been standing stationery for the last 60 years. “30 train stations will be upgraded and two new trains will operate from September 15,” he said, adding that deficit of Pakistan Railways was over Rs 30 billion in 2013 which has risen to about Rs 41 billion in 2018.
The Upper House was informed that the government was committed to expedite seminary reforms to ensure equal rights to the students of Madaris.
The National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA) along with other relevant departments has already started the process of registration of seminaries, however some seminaries are not willing to register themselves, Advisor to Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan said. As many as 689 seminaries have been registered in FATA while 179 others in other areas of the country, he said, and hoped that rest of the seminaries will also be registered in 90 days.
Speaking on a point of order, Leader of the House in Senate Shibli Faraz vowed to finalize the cybercrimes bill soon.
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary told the House that entertainment and film industry would be given priority by his ministry as per the new policy of the PTI government. He said the previous government used massive funds on advertisements for self-projection and publicity. “The previous government in the Centre spent Rs 17 billion on ads … and if the amount spent by Punjab government is also included, the figure reaches to a whooping Rs 40 billion,” he added.
The minister said that censorship has been lifted on the state-owned media and now the opposition parties are also being given coverage on the PTV. He said the state broadcaster has been directed to complete the process of installation of boosters in different areas in three months.
The Chair admitted for discussion an adjournment motion regarding excessive use and sale of antibiotics in the country.
Due to lack of quorum, the House was adjourned to meet again today (Thursday) at 11am.
Published in Daily Times, August 30th 2018.
