Absence of MPAs from assembly session irks speaker

The absence of lawmakers from the Sindh Assembly left Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani frustrated on Wednesday, leading to the adjournment of the session without completing the agenda. The question-and-answer session, which typically takes up the first hour, wrapped up in just 20 minutes as most of the members who had submitted questions were absent from the house.

At the beginning of the session, only 14 MPAs were present, despite the assembly consisting of a total of 168 lawmakers from both the treasury and opposition benches. By the time the session was adjourned, the number had increased to 30 members.

It was a private members day, and disappointingly, many of the MPAs who had tabled private resolutions, bills, and call attention notices were absent. Speaker Durrani voiced his concerns, stating, "How can I proceed with the session if the movers of the resolutions and bills are not present? It seems that our members are not demonstrating interest in the session."

During the question-and-answer session, Minister for Minority Affairs Giyandchand Essrani provided an update on the progress of his department, highlighting the commencement of development work on 268 religious minority places, including temples, in Sindh.

MPA Mangla Sharma from MQM presented a private resolution.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2023.