MNAs’ lack of social distancing draws speaker’s anger

Govt, opposition agree to hold house debate on five issues pointed out by Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly began its session on Friday with a stern warning from Speaker Asad Qaiser to the members to strictly observe social distancing, but the house shortened its agenda for the day because of the death of a member, Muneer Orakzai.

During the proceedings, both sides of the isle agreed to hold discussion on the five major issues identified by the opposition – Covid-19 pandemic, Karachi air crash, locust attack, sugar inquiry report and privatisation programme.

At the outset of the session, the members welcomed Speaker Qaiser, who was chairing his first session after recovering from Covid-19. The speaker acknowledged with a nod to the thumping of the desks by the members.

Speaking from his personal experience, the speaker censured the members, who were not observing social distancing precaution and other standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued for the proceedings of the house.

‘Enemy of your own’

Raja Pervez Ashraf of the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) pointed out towards the violations of the social distancing, questioning the attitude of some of the elected members of the house despite the fact that the session was being held in “extraordinary circumstances”.

The speaker explained to the members the importance of precaution but then Speaker reprimanded Rana Sanaullah and Junaid Akbar for ignoring his remarks. “Whoever wants to talk, can go outside,” he told the lawmakers.

He said that he and his family went through a difficult time. “Why do the members want to be an enemy of their own? If this is the attitude, I will adjourn the session,” he warned. “Today is the condolence meeting. I will strictly follow the SOPs in the next meeting.”

Due to the demise of National Assembly member Munir Orakzai, the agenda was suspended at the beginning of the session. Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali offered prayers for the soul of Orakzai, the deceased members of the provincial assembly, the PIA plane crash and the Quetta tragedy.

Speaking on the occasion, Speaker Asad Qaiser, Khawaja Asif, Babar Awan, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Maulana Asad Mahmood hailed the political services of Munir Orakzai, who passed away earlier this week after suffering a massive heart attack.

During the proceedings, the government and the opposition agreed to discuss five issues raised by the Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Khawaja Asif said that coronavirus pandemic, sugar scandal, plane crash should be discussed in the house.

For the discussion, Asif proposed the old system of debate under which the government responds in a policy statement once the opposition has spoken. The house should not be made a spectacle with turn-by-turn speeches,” he said.

“Repeated speeches create commotion. The people affected by coronavirus should not get the impression of division in this house,” he added. “The old method should be restored by abolishing the turn-by-turn speeches by government member and opposition member.”

Raja Pervez Ashraf supported Khawaja Asif. Aviation ministers Ghulam Sarwar Khan and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan also supported the discussion on the major issues in the House.

“The sugar commission report, on which the opposition wants the discussion, has been issued by Prime Minister Imran Khan,” Awan told the house. “If five issues are raised by the leader of the opposition, then five ministers will have to answer,” he added.

The speaker remarked that the strategy for the house debate on these issues would be worked out on Monday in consultation with the government and opposition members. As per house traditions, due to the demise of Orakzai, the meeting was adjourned until Monday without completing its agenda.