Legislation bores MPAs

Legislation is the first and foremost business of the Provincial Assembly. Everything else comes second. The house needs a certain minimum number of members present in order to pass laws. Since legislation is primarily the responsibility of the treasury, the job of ensuring that enough members turn up also rests with the treasury. Only 93 of the over 250 members that back the provincial government need show up to complete the quorum.

That number has often proved too much for the PML-N. The opposition has developed a habit of pointing out the quorum whenever the treasury moves to table legislation. This usually results in proceedings being suspended while the province’s bureaucrat-in-chief   the chief minister’s principal secretary – sets about trying to herd the treasury members together. Yesterday too, the opposition held up the government’s agenda by pointing out the quorum four times.

Sitting through readings of legislation, it seems, is the most difficult part of being an MPA. Their apathy towards legislative business is clear from the press gallery, as is their lack of understanding of what they are voting for. Organisations like PILDAT and USAID are constantly arranging workshops and inviting members to them to learn about house business, but the workshops are sparsely attended.

Not that opposition members are exemplars of responsible parliamentary behaviour either. On the rare occasions when the treasury is able to maintain quorum and legislate, few opposition members stay in the house and participate; most are seen running after ministers with files in their hands. The same members will be sure to attend proceedings if they have a breach of privilege motion to move against an official, even if they have to wait a few hours for the chance to do so. Their behaviour is equally contemptuous of the serious business of the house.

Another thing MPAs prefer over the real work of legislation is the television camera. Members will stage walkouts on the flimsiest of pretexts so they can gather in front of the wall of cameras outside and vent faux outrage. It is a practice beloved by all, from the leader of the opposition to the lowliest of back-benchers.

Thursday’s assembly agenda included 10 significant bills. The day before yesterday, it had 25 bills. On both days, after discussions on points of order were wrapped up and the time came for the serious business of legislation, the MPAs began spilling out the hall doors.

Hoping to get its members more interested, the treasury has been arranging lavish breakfasts and lunches at the assembly. Even this has not worked. They do in fact show up for breakfast, but usually leave straight after.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2011.