ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Tuesday passed three government and other legislative proposals sponsored by a private member.
The NA transacted the government business on private members’ days after approval of the motion, while private members’ agenda was also moved in routine.
Moved by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Murtaza Javed Abbasi, NA passed a motion to suspend the rules for immediate consideration of the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The Assembly passed the bill after the Chair instructed to circulate the bill’s copies among legislators.
As per the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the bill, it is necessary to amend the official Secrets Act 1923 and turn it more effective in view of the changing social conditions to ensure the security and safety of official documents.
Murtaza Javed Abbasi presented the Toshakhana (Management and Regulation) Bill, 2023, and the Pakistan Airports Authority Bill, 2023. Both texts were approved by the Assembly as the Senate has already approved it.
The Toshakhana Management and Regulation Bill 2023, approved by the NA, said that the existing and future gifts to be received in Toshakhana would be disposed of through an open auction.
Private Member’s Bills
Three private member’s bills approved by the National Assembly included the Margalla International University Bill, 2023, the Promotion and Protection of Gandhara Culture Authority Bill, 2023, and the Thar International Institute Bill, 2023. All these texts were sponsored by the lawmaker Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani.
