The National Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution urging the government to take immediate steps to investigate the offloading of documented passengers at various airports, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The resolution moved by Syed Rafiullah recommended the administrative reforms to ensure transparency, accountability and the protection of passenger rights, while improving communication so that all offloading decisions are lawful and properly documented.
Minister of State for Planning and Development Chaudhry Armaghan Subhani said the government is giving priority to Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway project.
Responding to a calling attention in the National Assembly, he said the project comprising five sections will be completed on a fast track basis. He noted that building motorways is the hallmark of PML-N.
Three bills were laid before the house today. These included: National Database and Registration Authority Amendment Bill, 2025, the ICT Batteries (Management and Recycling) Bill, 2025 and The Co-operative Societies Amendment Bill, 2025.
Responding to another Calling Attention Notice, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary informed the House that the green cover of the Federal Capital has increased over the past one and a half year. He said Paper Mulberry trees were removed due to the health risks associated with them.
He also informed the House that a total of 29,115 Paper Mulberry trees were removed and that no other trees were cut. In their replacement, 40,000 trees of eight to ten feet in height have been planted. Additionally, he said that 60,000 more trees will be planted by 30th March at the locations where the Paper Mulberry trees were removed.
Cooperative Societies Amendment Bill
The House granted leave to introduce the Cooperative Societies Amendment Bill 2025, aimed at extending the tenure of cooperative society committees.
Moving the bill, Tahir Iqbal highlighted that currently, cooperative committees are elected for a three-year term, which he described as insufficient for completing their responsibilities, particularly for tasks involving land acquisitions and other long-term projects.
He proposed extending the tenure from three to five years, allowing committees to work efficiently and see their initiatives through.
“Most of these committees handle long-term projects, and extending their tenure will enable them to complete their work without unnecessary disruption,” he said.
Following the discussion, the Speaker of the National Assembly put the motion to a vote, which was unanimously approved, and the bill was referred to the Standing Committee for further consideration.
Meanwhile, several standing committees of the National Assembly presented their periodical reports for the first half of 2025 during the session at the lower house on Tuesday.
MNA Tahira Aurangzeb, on behalf of the Standing Committee on Finance, submitted the committee’s report covering the period from January 1 to June 30, 2025.
She was followed by Malik Muhammad Amir Dogar, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, who presented his committee’s report for the same period.
Zahra Wadood Fatimi, representing the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Human Rights, also submitted the periodic report, emphasizing the committee’s work during the first half of the year.
The Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environment Coordination, represented by Tahira Aurangzeb, likewise presented its report.
Major (r) Tahir Iqbal moved for the presentation of the Standing Committee on Planning and Development and Special Initiatives’ report for the January–June 2025 period.
Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control, requested the House to condone the delay in presenting the report on the Capital Development Authority Amendment Bill 2025, which he subsequently presented.
Similarly, Naveed Qamar sought condonation for the delay in presenting the report on the Corporate Social Responsibility Bill 2025, which was later submitted.
Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Acting Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training, moved for and subsequently presented the report on the Allied Institute Multan Bill 2025.
Reporter Rozina Ali