Lawmakers oppose restoring Iqbal Day holiday.

Byline: Javaid-ur-Rahman

ISLAMABAD -- The government and opposition lawmakers in a rare show of unity Tuesday opposed restoring the public holiday on November 9: the birthday of Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

The lawmakers from both sides of aisle in National Assembly proceedings opposed the resolution to declare November 09: Iqbal Day: as an official holiday.

PML-N's MNA Ahsan Iqbal was not in favour of restoring the public holiday, which was proposed by his party's colleague Nisar Ahmed Cheema. 'We have much respect for the poet of the east. There should be no further holidays as we need to do more work rather increasing public holidays in the country...The teachings of Iqbal should be implemented,' the PML-N MNA said, mentioning there was no need to restore the public holiday on the Iqbal Day .

Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari supported the point raised by opposition MNA, saying there should be no holiday on the Iqbal Day . 'This day should be observed in a meaningful way...There is a need to understand the teachings of Allama Iqbal,' the PTI MNA said.

However, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan was of the view that the resolution should not be rejected as would send a wrong message. PML-N MNA Nisar Ahmad Cheema withdrew his resolution to present it later after reformulation.

Meanwhile, Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood said that a committee was also being formed to review syllabus of schools and colleges.

CONCERN OVER BANKS STOLEN DATA

The lawmakers from opposition and government raised serious concerns over the matter regarding stealing customers' data from Pakistani banks.

PML-N's MNA Ahsan Iqbal on a point of order drew attention of the house about a big security breach. 'According to the information, customers' data from Pakistani banks has been stolen,' said Iqbal. Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood, expressing serious concerns, termed it a serious security breach. However, the matter was not further discussed in the house.

Shah reaction to Fawad's statement

Former leader of opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah, with the onset of proceedings, turned the atmosphere in the house pleasant with his remarks about sending lawmakers into space. 'Half of the government benches will be empty if only 'chaotic politicians' are being proposed to send into space,' remarked senior PPP-P MNA Khursheed Shah, commenting on the information minister's statement. As Fawad Chaudhary in a lighter vein...