Importance of Question Hour

Off and on, it is complained that relevant ministers and secretaries are not present in legislatures during the Question Hour or they fail to reply to questions from members even when they are present. Recently, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Suri reprimanded ministers for their failure to answer questions from members during the Question Hour. The reprimand came after opposition member Raja Pervaiz Ashraf complained about ministers’ failure to answers questions. He said members asked questions on important issues to get updated information, but when the relevant ministers did not reply, it killed the purpose of the process. He asked the chair to issue warning to the ministers, parliamentary secretaries and government officials for failing to answer questions. The chair instructed ministers, ministers of state, parliamentary secretaries and relevant government officials to ensure their presence in the House during the Question Hour. He emphasised that ministers and government officials were answerable to parliament. Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak assured the opposition that the presence of minister and relevant officials would be ensured during the Question Hour.

The NA deputy speaker has given a timely warning to legislators to realise their responsibility as representatives of the people. People elect their representatives with the hope that they will put in their best efforts to make their lot better. Together with absence from the House during the Question Hour, there are also complaints about ministers and members absenting themselves from parliament, being lethargic in legislating on significant issues, and turning up late. Why public representatives show such lack of interest in public issues when they know full well they have to face the voters after the end of their tenure. Don’t let expectations of the common people turn upside down.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2020.

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