Daily Times

Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, who also holds the portfolio of food department said that the Punjab government made a comprehensive policy regarding wheat procurement this year and therefore the procedure is going very smooth. “The government has so far achieved the 72 percent target of wheat procurement while 92 percent gunny bags have been distributed in transparent way,” said senior minister, while answering the queries of lawmakers during the session of Punjab Assembly on Tuesday. He was of the view that the target of wheat procurement is 45 lac metric ton and the government will achieve it before time this year in Punjab. We’ll also give our wheat to KPK to fulfil its need, he said. The senior minister for food further added that the people of Punjab will not face any shortage of food this year and the government took stern actions against the hoarders of wheat.

The session of Punjab Assembly started after a delay of more than an hour from its scheduled time of 11.30 am with Panel of Chairman Mian Shafi Muhammad in chair on Tuesday. A joint resolution was also passed in the House paying rich tribute to former MPA and minister Raja Ishfaq Sarwar who passed away last month. Raja Ishfaq remained MPA from Punjab for five times while also serving as minister and Advisor to CM for four times in different tenures of PML-N. The resolution was jointly moved by Law Minister Raja Basharat, opposition leader Hamza Shehbaz and former Speaker Rana Iqbal to pay homage to the services of late parliamentarian.

Another resolution was also passed unanimously in favour of the finality of Holy Prophet (PBUH). It was moved by PML-Q member and minister for mines Hafiz Ammar Yasir. We are all the custodians of the Finality of Holy Prophet, said Speaker Ch Pervaiz Elahi. He was of the view that the Qadyanis cannot be included in the National Minority Commission until they accept the constitution of Pakistan. The whole House was unanimous in giving vote for the said resolution.

Earlier, former minister for school education Rana Mashhood raised the issue of the salaries of teachers hailing from the schools of Punjab Education Foundation. “The future of 3.1 million students enrolled in PEF schools is at stake and this House should protect them because they are our children,” said Rana Mashhood of PML-N. He was of the view that the funds are not being released to PEF Schools and teachers didn’t get salaries for last four months that is complete injustice to them. The government must release their salaries immediately keeping in view the COVID-19 situation and the holy month of Ramazan, he said.

Speaker Elahi later prorogued the session for indefinite time period.