The National Assembly on Tuesday passed the Contempt of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) Bill, 2023.

The bill moved by Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon is aimed at condemning and awarding punishment for the actions that account for breach of the sovereignty and integrity of the Parliament.

In his remarks, Minister for Education Rana Tanveer said such laws need to be framed to further improve the functioning of the parliament.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar says the coalition government has always tried to extend maximum relief to the people.

Speaking in the National Assembly on Tuesday, he referred to the recent reduction made by the government in the prices of petroleum products including thirty rupees per liter in diesel and twelve rupees per liter in petrol. 

Ishaq Dar said reduction in the price of diesel is eleven percent and its price has been slashed from 288 to 258 rupees per liter.

The Finance Minister urged the transporters to reduce fares keeping in view the reduction made in petroleum products. 

He said responsibility rests with all including the provincial governments to ensure that the benefit of this relief reaches the common man.                                             

On another point raised by Akbar Chitrali, Ishaq Dar said the government is working to promote Islamic banking in the country. He pointed out that a committee has been established for promotion of Islamic banking.

The Minister said this committee comprising of eminent scholars is working on fast track basis to further enhance the scope of Islamic banking.

Taking the floor, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that tax cases worth two thousand billion rupees are pending before the judiciary.

He said the courts should settle these cases on priority basis amidst economic crisis.

In his remarks, Federal Minister Javed Latif welcomed the passage of the Contempt of Parliament bill by the House.  

He said PTI Chairman Imran Khan is behind the recent incidents of arson and ransacking of public and private properties.

He said those involved in the violent acts need to be brought to justice.

The National Assembly was informed on Tuesday that awareness campaigns have been launched to check the spread of Monkeypox in the country.

Parliamentary Secretary for National Health Services Shazia Sobia while responding to a Calling Attention Notice told the House that the SOPs and guidelines for this infectious disease are the same as those were for the Covid-19.

She said alerts have been issued to the hospitals to keep the suspected patients in isolation.

Responding to a Calling Attention Notice moved by Akbar Chitrali and others, Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Shazia Marri said that desks have been set up at the tehsil level for the registration of deserving families under Benazir Income Support Program.

She said that differently-abled persons are given preference when they visit these desks.

The Minister for Poverty Alleviation said cash assistance under the Benazir Income Support Program has been increased to eight thousand seven hundred and fifty rupees benefitting nine million families.

The National Assembly passed a resolution recommending that a Hajj advisory committee be constituted to oversee this year's Hajj arrangements. It was moved by Shagufta Jumani.

According to the resolution, the committee would comprise the Minister for Religious Affairs, chairmen of the standing committees of the National Assembly and the Senate for Religious Affairs and members of both the Houses.

The House will now meet on 23rd of this month at 12:00 pm.