Derogatory remarks: PA calls for action against Dr Ashraf Asif Jalali.

LAHORE -- Condemning Dr Ashraf Asif Jalali for derogatory remarks against Hazrat Fatima (RA), legislators from across the political divide demanded action against President of his own faction of Tehreek-e-Labaik.

Law Minister Raja Basharat informed the House that case has been registered and action would be taken after investigation.

The session started one hour behind the scheduled time with Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari in the chair.

PML-N's Kazim Pirzada drew attention of the chair to the incident and demanded stern action against Jalali for using derogatory remarks against the daughter of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Minister Syed Samsam Bukhari endorsed the lawmaker from the Opposition and demanded legislation to curb the blasphemy of the family of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in future.

'More than 100 custodians of shrines have approached me and demanded action against the person who was found using derogatory remarks against Hazrat Fatima (RA) ,' said Samsam who himself is a custodian of shrine Hazrat Karman Wala in Okara.

Raja Basharat said that a case has been registered against Jalali and an officer of the rank of SP is investigating it. It will be ensured that Jalali will be included in the Fourth Schedule and he will be arrested soon.

In violation of tradition, Cabinet member not holding the office of Finance Minister concluded the budget debate.

Instead of Hashim Jawan Bakht, Minister for Industries Mian Aslam Iqbal concluded four days long discussion on the provincial budget.

The government has increased allocation for the South Punjab and this amount will only be spent in the earlier neglected portion of the province, Aslam Iqbal said.

'Allocation for South Punjab was just 16 per cent during the PML-N tenure but the PTI government increased it to 36 per cent', he said.

He...