Going virtual: Sindh lawmakers quibble over online session
“How can we discuss matters when no minister is available either physically or online?”
A Reuters representational image.
KARACHI:
As the Sindh Assembly session began on Saturday with a limited number of MPAs physically present, opposition leaders objected to the absence of provincial ministers.
Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani, addressing the house, pointed out that many lawmakers and assembly staff had contracted Covid-19. “The assembly is now a danger zone. I do not want to put you in danger, so please follow the standard operating procedures,” he said, adding that many MPAs were not taking the pandemic seriously. Stating that only 25 per cent of the MPAs were physically allowed at the session, he claimed that he would take it entirely online if they did not take it seriously.
“How can we discuss matters when no minister is available either physically or online?” questioned opposition leader Firdous Shamim Naqvi. “It’s best to walk out until they join us, because they must take notice of our speeches and suggestions.”
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Chawla, however, claimed that the ministers were available and each and every suggestion made by the opposition was noted down.
He further remarked that no MPAs were allowed in the session without face masks and Covid-19 test reports, adding that opposition members were not cooperating. “In the last proceedings, most opposition MPAs did not have masks,” he stated.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2020.
As the Sindh Assembly session began on Saturday with a limited number of MPAs physically present, opposition leaders objected to the absence of provincial ministers.
Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani, addressing the house, pointed out that many lawmakers and assembly staff had contracted Covid-19. “The assembly is now a danger zone. I do not want to put you in danger, so please follow the standard operating procedures,” he said, adding that many MPAs were not taking the pandemic seriously. Stating that only 25 per cent of the MPAs were physically allowed at the session, he claimed that he would take it entirely online if they did not take it seriously.
“How can we discuss matters when no minister is available either physically or online?” questioned opposition leader Firdous Shamim Naqvi. “It’s best to walk out until they join us, because they must take notice of our speeches and suggestions.”
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Chawla, however, claimed that the ministers were available and each and every suggestion made by the opposition was noted down.
He further remarked that no MPAs were allowed in the session without face masks and Covid-19 test reports, adding that opposition members were not cooperating. “In the last proceedings, most opposition MPAs did not have masks,” he stated.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2020.