Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly on Wednesday accused government of cracking down only on the educated section of the society in its countrywide operation against ‘misuse’ of social media, regretting that not even a single person from banned organisations misusing the platform was arrested.

On a point of order, Muttahida Qaumi Moment (MQM) legislator Ali Raza Abdi condemned the government action against social media users through FIA wherein several persons belonging to political parties were also arrested. He termed the FIA operation against the fundamental human rights. “When government passed the cybercrime bill, it was feared that the law will be used to crush political opponents instead of using it bring in a positive change,” he said, adding there should be proper mechanism to stop misuse of social media against armed forces but it must not be banned for everyone. He demanded of the government immediately stop targeted action against social media users.

The parliamentarians paid tributes to late Abdur Rahim Mandokhel, MNA from Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Balochistan. On a point of order, opposition leader Khurshid Shah said the House should present tribute to late Mandokhel for his struggle for democratic process in the country. Several other MNAs also paid tributes to Mandokhel, saying he was a dedicated and committed politician who made great contribution in realising the 18th constitutional amendment. The lawmakers said though Mandokhel was a simple and straightforward person, he always raised his voice for the oppressed section of the society. They termed his death a great loss to the country.

The National Assembly also approved amendments made in the Companies Bill, 2017, by the Senate and referred three bills to the relevant standing committees. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs introduced the Juvenile Justice System Bill, 2017.The House referred the bill to the relevant standing committee.

Standing Committee on Law and Justice chairman presented the report of the committee on the Public Interest Disclosures Bill, 2017.

On behalf of the Standing Committee on Commerce chairman, minister for Law and Justice presented the report of the committee on the Pakistan Tobacco Board (Amendment) Bill, 2017.

The House approved a motion to take up private members’ bills as supplementary business.

The House referred two bills of a JUI-F lawmaker to the relevant standing committees. These bills are: Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) 2017 (Amendment of sections 273, 274 and 275) and the Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) 2017 (Amendment of section 323).

The National University of Medical Sciences (Amendment) Bill, 2016, was withdrawn by the lawmaker concerned.

The House did not take up three private members’ bills due to absence of the lawmakers concerned.