PM says Dutch caricatures issue will be taken up with OIC

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan assured that his government will prioritise the issue of blasphemous caricature competition in Netherlands and take it up with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). After passing of the unanimous resolution against blasphemous caricature competition in the Netherlands resolution, Imran Khan made his first speech to the upper House of Parliament. Imran khan said that very few Europeans understand the hurting of Muslim sentiments over blasphemous content. He said that his government will prioritise the issue and take it up with the global Muslim body, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The prime minister said that a session of the OIC should be held to discuss the matter of blasphemous caricature competition. He has assured to revamp Pakistan’s economy on strong footings by setting example. – Austerity Drive Reduce Expenditure – Speaking to the Senate, he said his austerity drive is aimed at getting people realized that their government will spend their tax money on their welfare instead of useless expenses. "We need to change colonial mindset to serve the masses in a better way," he added. The prime minister said steps are being taken to reduce expenditure, check money laundering, generate revenue, and reform Federal Bureau of Revenue. He said enabling environment will be created for overseas Pakistanis to invest in their own country. – Foreign Visit – Imran Khan said he will go on foreign visits after setting internal house in order and improving governance in the country. – PM Question Time In NA – He also said he came to Senate to show that he believes in strengthening the parliament. He said a Prime Minister Question Time will be introduced in the National Assembly, where he will himself give answers to questions every fortnightly. Imran Khan said he will also come to the Upper House to respond queries of senators. – Opposition Walk Out – The opposition staged a token walk out for its demand to constitute a parliamentary commission to probe rigging in the recently concluded general election. – The Chair Of Session – The chair appointed Senators Haroon Khan, Muhammad Ali Saif, and Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri as presiding officers for the current session of the Upper House. The chair also congratulated Senator Syed Shibli Faraz for assuming charge of the leader of the house. He also appreciated the role of outgoing leader of the opposition in the Senate Sherry Rehman for raising image of the House. The House offered fateha for a number of people died in various incidents in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The senators also offered fateha for the departed souls of Pakistan Movement Worker Syed Ahmad Saeed Kirmani and brothers of Senator Kalsoom Parveen and Talha Mehmood. – Resolution Of Blasphemous Caricature – In today's session of Senate, the resolution was tabled by Leader of the House Shibli Faraz, against the blasphemous cartoon competition. In June this year, Dutch anti-Islam politician Greet Wilders announced holding of a competition depicting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The resolution stated that a caricature competition will be held at the end of the year in Netherlands and the Pakistani government should summon the Dutch envoy to record protest. It was mentioned in the resolution that the government should raise the issue of blasphemous caricatures in the United Nations Security Council. – The National Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill – The House passed “The National Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2017 moved by Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh. The Bill is aimed at amending the National Disaster Management Act, 2010. Three bills were introduced in the House. They are: “The Islamabad Capital Territory Public Health (Surveillance and Response) Bill, 2018”, “The Disabled Persons (Employment and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018”, and “The Marriage Functions (Prohibition of Ostentatious Displays and Wasteful Expenses) Bill, 2018.” The chair referred the bills to the concerned standing committees of the House.