PTI-SIC excluded from key NA committees

Following the pattern observed in the upper house, the main opposition party, the PTI-SIC, was excluded from key National Assembly standing committees during their formation on Saturday.

In their initial meetings, the NA standing committees on information technology and telecommunication, commerce, privatisation, and industries and production unanimously elected their chairmen.

The meetings were attended by members of the respective standing committees and chief whips of the PML-N, the PPP and the MQM, according to a press release. The PTI-SIC members were conspicuous by their absence.

The elections were overseen by Muhammad Mushtaq, Adviser (Legislation), Syed Jawad Murtaza Naqvi, Additional Secretary (Committees), and Syed Haseen Raza Zaidi, Joint Secretary (Committees).

Syed Amin ul Haq, MNA, was unanimously elected as chairman of the Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication. His name was proposed by MNA Syed Mustafa Kamal and seconded by all committee members.

Similarly, the Standing Committee on Commerce unanimously elected Muhammad Jawed Hanif Khan as its chairman, with his candidature proposed by MNA Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig and supported by all members.

In separate meetings, the Standing Committees on Privatisation and Industries and Production unanimously elected MNAs Dr Muhammad Farooq Sattar and Syed Hafeezuddin as chairmen, respectively.

Their nominations were proposed by MNAs Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani and Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani and seconded by all committee members.

Under the rules, the committees are required to be formed within thirty days after the prime minister’s election.