Bill relating to amendments in NAB, HEC and other laws passed in Senate.
Opposition lawmakers register strong protest, shout slogans of “Rubber Stamp Parliament unacceptable”.
Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani adjourns session for indefinite period as Opposition lawmakers surround Speaker’s dias.
ISLAMABAD: The government managed to have several bill passed in Senate on Friday despite protests from Opposition lawmakers.
The bills included the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals bi ll, introduced by Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari. It was passed after 35 votes were given in favour of the bill while 29 voted against it.
An independent group led by Senator Dilawar Khan also supported the government in its bid to have the bill passed.
The Opposition protested against the government’s move to include the bill as an additional item in today’s agenda, with lawmakers shouting “Rubber Stamp Parliament unacceptable”.
Mazari said that it had taken the ministry one year to formulate the b ill.
The Upper House also approved the NAB Amendment bill, which was presented by Federal Minister for Law Dr Farogh Naseem. “This b ill is not being passed for a single person, rather, it is for everyone across the board,” he said.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Ali Mohammad Khan, presented the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Amendment bill which was also approved by the Senate.
Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani was forced to adjourn the session after Opposition lawmakers, incensed at the bills being approved, surrounded the Speaker’s dias and tore copies of the day’s agenda.
The Upper House also approved the NAB Amendment bill, which was presented by Federal Minister for Law Dr Farogh Naseem. “This b ill is not being passed for a single person, rather, it is for everyone across the board,” he said.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Ali Mohammad Khan, presented the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Amendment bill which was also approved by the Senate.
Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani was forced to adjourn the session after Opposition lawmakers, incensed at the bills being approved, surrounded the Speaker’s dias and tore copies of the day’s agenda.