K-P Assembly. PHOTO: AFP
The newly elected Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Deputy Speaker Dr Mehar Taj Roghani’s first ever session lasted a mere six minutes due to an incomplete quorum.
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Prevention of Conflict of Interest Bill 2016 was part of Friday’s agenda and was to be passed by the house. However, around 21 members from both the treasury
and opposition benches showed up.
Even after a 40-minute delay, the quorum remained incomplete and deputy speaker Roghani had to announce the session would be adjourned till Monday. Proceedings were to start at 2pm, but were adjourned at 2:46pm after the recitation of verses from the Quran. After which Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) lawmaker Malik Noor Saleem from Lakki Marwat pointed out the lack of quorum.
The deputy speaker ordered the assembly staff to ring the bells for five minutes, but it still remained incomplete. “Since only 22 members are present and it is Friday, when most people visit their homes, the house has been adjourned till Monday.” The opposition members, including Arbab Akbar Hayat, thumped benches in protest and left the house.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2016.
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