Azma's statement boils tempers, females walk out

Deputy Speaker Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan was quick to add that he did not get any funds during the last five years, but he averred that all must be considered on equal basis.
Rana Sana accused the previous regime of misusing funds reserved for women representatives, and said the present government was for regularising and rationalising the funds.
This was followed by a diatribe from male members asserting that the females did not have any constituency. “If they want to have development funds, then they should contest on general seats, and quit reserved ones,” maintained male MPAs while showing serious reservations to Azma’s statement.
After this, a few females mainly from the PPP, staged a walkout, while after quite a long time, the Chair sent a three-member committee to bring them back to the Floor. They came back to remain quiet for the rest of the day’s proceedings.
Najmi Saleemi criticised males for the latter’s bad attitude towards females, and maintained that discrimination was being done.
Later, as it was the Private Members’ Day, the Punjab Assembly referred three bills to special committee of the House to submit report by December 31, 2008.
Opposition member Ch Aamar Sultan Cheema moved ‘The Provincial Assembly of Punjab Privileges (Amendment) Bill 2008’ which sought amendment in the privilege that the MPAs could visit the Child Protection Institutions falling in their constituencies with prior intimation and to submit report to the minister concerned after such visit.
Another Opposition member Muhammad Mohsin Khan Leghari moved ‘The Punjab Irrigation and Drainage Authority (Amendment) Bill 2008’ seeking amendment in the PIDA Act 1997 to apply the mechanism of checks and balances, citing that it is imperative to monitor and evaluate the annual progress of performance of the said Authority.
‘The Provincial Assembly of The Punjab Privileges (Amendment) Bill 2008’ moved by another opposition MPA Amna Ulfat proposed amendment in the privilege that MPAs who should be entitled to visit hospitals, dispensaries, health centres, offices of social welfare and educational institutions falling in their constituencies with previous intimation and to submit report to the minister concerned after such visit.
However, Rana Mashhood disposed off another bill ‘The Provincial Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2008’ due to the absence of the mover Ch Shaukat Mahmood Basra.
The House also passed Sheikh Allauddin’s resolution that the PA should demand of the federal government to direct the banks for paying their account-holders, two percent more annual profit in proportion to annual inflation rate.
While, another resolution pertaining to provision of the House requisition facility by the Punjab government, in the first phase, to the Civil Secretariat employees was pended.
Another resolution about release of prisoners due to non-payment of fines was also pended. The Chair disposed off Azma Bokhari’s resolution due to her absence.
Later, Q-League’s Samina Khawar Hayat tabled a motion proposing an amendment to the Rules of Procedure of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab 1997. The motion was lost following head-count. Three resolutions were referred to the Business Advisory Committee, while another was disposed off.
Later, the Chair adjourned the proceedings till Wednesday 10 am.