ISLAMABAD: Senate on Wednesday rejected Anti-Terrorism (Third Amendment) Bill 2020 with a majority vote aimed at addressing the issue of terror financing.
According to details, the Anti-terrorism bill was tabled by Senator Sajjad Toor. 34 votes were casted against the bill while 31 senators supported the bill after Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani ordered voting on demand of the opposition.
On the other hand, The National Assembly has passed the “Anti-Terrorism (Third Amendment) Bill, 2020 and adopted a motion referring it to the joint sitting of the parliament for consideration and passage.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan has said that government believes in strengthening the structure of religious seminaries for the promotion of Islam.
Replying to a question in the Senate session, he said there is a complete liaison with the administration of the seminaries across Pakistan. He said Pakistan has frozen properties of UN-designated entities has to follow UN instructions after thorough examination.
The Minister of State informed the House that some international non-governmental organizations have also been closed in the country for not fulfilling the requirements.
Answering another question, he said the reviewed masterplan of Islamabad will likely be finalised next year. He said high-rise buildings are being encouraged to protect green areas which is evident from the fact that the federal cabinet has recently barred the construction of prison on the greenbelt.
Replying to a question, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz said the government is focusing on promoting regional languages, culture and traditions through Radio Pakistan and PTV.
He said Prime Minister Imran Khan always calls for formulating programmes based on the indigenous culture of Pakistan and religious traditions. He stressed the need to repulse cultural onslaught of India and other countries by highlighting cultural asset of Pakistan.
The Senate also passed “The Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2020.” The House will now meet on Friday at 10:30 AM.