Islamabad:
Friday, the federal government succeeded in adopting a bill, amending the law on civil servants.
Under Bill 2025 civil servants (modification), clause 15A was added after article 15 of the law, which makes officials of the 17th year compulsory to the 22nd year to declare all their national and foreign assets.
In accordance with the proposed law, civil servants must also disclose national and foreign assets of their spouses and their dependent children. Agents will have to submit details on their own assets and their family assets to the Federal Board of Return (FBR). These asset details will be made public.
Earlier, Na Friday adopted a total of nine legislative elements, including six government bills, two bills of private members and a resolution, with a majority vote.
The government has succeeded in obtaining the approval of the Chamber for the 2024 income tax (amendment) bill, crucial legislation linked to the next federal budget.
Among the other bills sponsored by the government, it was: the 2024 bill of the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (modification), Bill 2025, Bill 2024 of Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, Citizenship bill (modification) of the Pakistani Citizenship bill (modification).
In addition, the Chamber has also adopted two bills of private members of the bill on the additional agenda: the 2025 bill of commercial organizations (amendment) and the bill on children’s marriage 2025 (applicable within the limits of the Islamabad capital territory). All bills have been adopted with a majority vote, without division.
The Assembly also approved a resolution proposed by the MNA Syeda Noseen Iftikhar, urging the government to increase the higher age limit to CSS candidates to 35 years old, and to allow five attempts for competitive exam.
The resolution stressed that qualified aspirants were excluded due to the restrictive age ceiling and the limited number of chances.
Speaking on an order point, PTI MNA Asad Qaiser raised concerns concerning the absence of a clear government policy on tobacco culture. “Farmers are deeply worried. The question should be referred to the permanent committee,” he urged.
In response, the Federal Minister of Law and Justice assured the House that the government was aware of the difficulties of farmers. “International market fluctuations have an impact on prices, but we will ensure that tobacco producers are not unduly overwhelmed,” he said.
The session was then adjourned by vice-president Zahid Akram Durrani until 5 p.m. Monday.
Buying wheat
The government would not get wheat this season and Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) would be closed, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, informed the National Assembly on Friday.
Speaking during questions, the minister said that farmers who could store their products in their own warehouses are compensated. He added that there was no restriction on the movement or transport of wheat across the country.
“Wheat is currently behaving on the free market, which benefits farmers and improves their income,” said the minister in the House in response to a question. “Farmers who are able to store their products in their own warehouses will be compensated,” he added.
