LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution, congratulating Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Syed Asim Munir on his elevation to the field marshal rank.

The resolution, moved by treasury member Raja Shaukat Bhatti, lauded the Pakistan’s armed forces for the resounding success of the Bunyan-um-Marsoos operation in response to India’s provocations.

It further praised the COAS for his strategy in defeating a cunning enemy like India, asserting that the victory in the Marka-i-Haq (Battle of Truth) has uplifted the entire nation and garnered international support for Pakistan’s stance. The resolution concluded with a prayer for Pakistan’s safety from internal and external conspiracies.

In other legislative business, the House unanimously approved a resolution highlighting the alarming increase in breast cancer cases across the country, including Punjab.

Moved by Leader of the Opposition Ahmed Khan Bhachar, the resolution regretted that one in eight women is affected by breast cancer, with rising fatalities due to a lack of timely diagnosis and treatment.

It pointed out an acute shortage of public healthcare facilities for the cancer patients in Punjab, with only 410 beds available in public hospitals and a dearth of modern machinery for breast cancer treatment.

The resolution urged the government to provide modern treatment facilities at the official level to ensure timely diagnosis of the disease and reduce mortality rate.

Additionally, a resolution concerning thalassemia, moved by government member Amjad Ali Javed, was also unanimously adopted. It highlighted that thousands of thalassemia patients nationwide require lifelong blood transfusions and continuous medical care, with children being the most affected by this hereditary disease.

Given the expensive and long-term nature of the treatment, the resolution called for government patronage of the patients. It proposed the issuance of ‘Himmat cards’ for thalassemia patients, similar to those for hemophilia patients, to provide them financial assistance, discounted medicines, and other medical facilities.

The resolution stressed the need for a national-level database to ensure tat the aid reaches the deserving patients, aiming to ease the thalassemia patients and help formulate effective policies.

Meanwhile, opposition member Waqas Mahmood Maan’s resolution on wheat policy was postponed for the fifth time.

Irritated by the postponement, Maan questioned Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan that when the wheat policy would be discussed, especially given the upcoming budget session. The speaker assured the House that the wheat policy would be deliberated upon shortly.

Finally, a resolution moved by government member Sumbal Malik regarding child labour was adopted by a majority vote.

The resolution urged thethe Labour and Human Resources Department to take effective measures to address child labour, stressing immediate notification of “The Punjab Restriction on Employment of Children Act 2016” rules.

It also called for a comprehensive, actionable and sustainable strategy, in collaboration with the Punjab Social Protection Authority, to eradicate child labour, particularly in domestic sectors, to protect children from all forms of exploitation.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2025