ISLAMABAD – Deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan on Tuesday dominated the National Assembly session while House deferred a bill to divide Punjab into three provinces. The Lower House of the Parliament also passed a bill to amend the Medical and Dental Council Ordinance 1962. Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) from Balochistan condemned Interior Minister Rehman Malik for his statement over the murder of granddaughter of late Nawab Akbar Bugti. Malik while speaking on the floor of the House had said that all were concerned about the murder of family of MPA Bakhtiar Domki but no one was raising a voice against the murder of 40 FC personnel in Balochistan. Baloch MNAs including former minister Mir Hamayun Aziz Kurd, Lt-Gen (r) Abdul Qadir Baloch, Asiya Nasir and Dr Zile Huma strongly criticised the minister for his statement and condemned it in strongest terms.They were of the view that linking murder of Domki family with killing of FC personnel was not justified. They also demanded establishment of a House committee to visit and see the on ground conditions in Balochistan. A large number of legislators from different political forces were concerned over deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan, saying that a committee should be constituted to probe the matter and a clear policy of the PPP-led government should be shared with the House. “The situation in the province will not change till the role of agencies is not limited,” said Hamayun Aziz Kurd adding, the alarming situation in Balochistan must be paid due heed.Another legislator from PML-N Abdul Qadir Baloch said a commission to probe killings in Balochistan had to submit its report in the House in two months but despite four months passage it was still pending. “Is it not a joke. Commissions and committees are formed just to subdue people’s emotions but no proper action is taken on their reports,” he said adding, a detailed debate should be carried out on Balochistan situation.JUI-F legislator, speaking on Balochistan issue, said Balochistan problem should be resolved politically and government should share with the House a clear policy in this regard. “A sense of deprivation is increasing among the people of the province,” she said.MQM legislator Asif Hasnain also came down hard on PPP’s government for not taking the matter of Balochistan seriously. “I am seeing Bangladesh-like situation if the problem is not solved immediately,” he added. Gul Muhammad Jhakrani said formation of committees on Balochistan would be a futile exercise. “FC IG is running Balochistan and due to wrong policies of government hatred is on the rise among people of the province,” he added. MNA Yusuf Talpur said Balochistan insurgency required to be handled appropriately. On killing of Domki family members, he said, it was not fair to relate FC men’s killing with the murder of Domkis. Another legislator Haji Rozuddin said there was 16 to 18 hours power loadshedding in the province.The issue of formation of new provinces once again hit the National Assembly, which was later deferred due to objection and intervention of some PPP MNAs. The issue of provinces was to be discussed in the current session as PM had assured in the last session (38th session) to discuss matter of new provinces in the next session. However, the bill presented by PML-Q legislator Riaz Fatyana, after the opposition of some PPP legislators, was deferred.In his proposed amendment Riaz Fatyana said that Punjab should be divided into three equal parts. Creation of new provinces was also supported by 14 points of Quaid-e-Azam, he added. He further cited the example of neighbouring country India to support his viewpoint about creation of new provinces. However, PPP’s chief whip Khurshid Shah termed it a sensitive matter and suggested to defer it.Strongly opposing the idea, PPP legislator Zafar Ali Shah said, “We will oppose it even if our party will support it. Quoting example of India in this regard is not appropriate”.PPP MNA Afzal Sindhu said example of India for division of provinces was not correct in this situation. Bhawalpur has its own importance in the area, he added.PPP MNA Farid Kathiya supported the move of PML-Q MNA. MNA Kashmala Tariq said a committee should be formed to decide parameters in this regard.Four different bills were introduced in the house including a bill to amend the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 and the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898, aimed at awarding strict punishment to those issuing derogatory caricatures of Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH).Another bill for compulsory declaration of assets possessed by the citizens of Pakistan was presented in the House aimed at making an exact estimate of national assets. The bill was moved by Khurram Jahangir Wattoo.MNA Tasneem Siddiqui moved the bill to regulate the development and control of sports in Pakistan at international standards and to constitute the Pakistan sports board.MNA Qudsia Arshad moved Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2012 to further amend the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. The statement of objects says that rash driving was becoming nuisance on roads, therefore, it was necessary to provide sufficient deterrent to check tendency of traffic violations. Speaking on a point of order, Farrahnaz Isphahani said there should be proper measures to stop target killings of Shia community in the country. She termed it an ‘annihilation of Shia community’ which needed immediate remedial measures.Asif Hasnain from MQM said government should reverse the decision about recent hike in petroleum products. “We are with the masses on this issue as it needs to be reversed,” he added.Mohiyyuddin said Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s claim about Chitrali people was incorrect. “People from Chitral are peace-loving, but, the interior minister wrongly claimed that they were involved in unlawful activities in Karachi,” he said.Responding to a call-attention notice moved by Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry about increase in printing of currency notes, Minister of State for Production Khawaja Sheraz Mahmood strongly rejected reports. He said the State Bank followed a certain procedure to print new notes.The House passed a bill to amend the Medical and Dental Council Ordinance 1962 (The Medical and Dental Council Amendment Bill, 2009), which says that the PMDC Ordinance of 1962 needs to be updated as much progress has been made in the field of medical practice and education since 1962. The bill moved by Dr Doniya will give legal cover to approve the hospitals to ensure quality healthcare facilities.On a point of order, PPP MNA shared startling information that two National Assembly members (MNAs) had been bringing weapons in the house for the last four years.“They bring weapons with them in the House,” said PPP MNA Aijaz Virk on a point of order, but refrained from naming anyone. On this, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz legislator Abid Sher Ali said the matter should be investigated thoroughly and interior minister should take notice of it. “What is the role of government machinery, if two MNAs are coming with weapons. Is it not a breach of parliament security,” he said.Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the matter would be thoroughly investigated and help would also be taken from CCTV footage. He said that Rangers, FC were responsible for external security matters of the parliament. Responding to another point of order about killing of a professor, he formed a joint investigation committee to probe the matter completely. Minister rushed to clarify that he never related the killing of FC personnel with murder of Domki’s family members.