LAHORE; July 4: The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution urging the government to set up a foreign currency export booth at Lahore airport to minimise the risk involved in transportation of currency to Karachi as well as ensuring better rates for overseas Pakistanis.
The resolution, moved by treasury’s Sheikh Allauddin, said it was unfair for Punjab that currency was being imported from Karachi airport alone. He claimed that Punjab had almost 80 per cent share in the foreign exchange.
Responding to the resolution, the parliamentary secretary for finance said the finance department had already worked on the resolution and was waiting for an NOC from the Civil Aviation Authority. He claimed that the CAA had expressed its consent verbally and was completing its internal procedures before allowing the setting up of a booth at the airport.
He said the federal finance ministry had also given a go ahead in this regard. Responding a question, the parliamentary secretary said it would take a few months to get an NOC.
Opposition’s Ehsanullah Waqas said the opposition also endorsed the resolution as it was in the public interest. Consequently, Speaker Rai Ijaz called for voting on the resolution and approved it unanimously.
PRINTING OF QURAN: The Punjab Assembly also unanimously approved a resolution, moved by eight opposition members, regarding printing of Holy Quran according to the prescribed law.
Presenting the resolution, Chaudhry Asghar Ali Gujjar said the Punjab government should request the federal government to ensure printing of Holy Quran according to the prescribed law.
The resolution said the federal government should stop the export of Holy Quran printed on substandard paper and hold defaulters accountable.
Though the Speaker said the resolution should be kept pending as the auqaf minister was not present, law minister Raja Basharat said he had received auqaf department’s response and it did not oppose the resolution.
Consequently, the Speaker sought voting and approved the resolution unanimously.
A couple of other resolutions were disposed off as the movers were not present. —Staff Reporter