Balochistan Assembly: Only 2 lawmakers bother to turn up for scheduled session
Except for 3 absentee ministers, all lawmakers are part of the Balochistan government and members of treasury benches.
QUETTA:
In a province battling as many problems as Balochistan, the apathy of its lawmakers is appalling.
On Monday, only two of 65 members turned up at the Balochistan Assembly for a scheduled meeting, compelling Deputy Speaker Matiullah Agha to adjourn the session without any proceedings.
The members present were Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s Abdul Samad Akhwandzada and Jaffar Mandokhel. Except for three absentee ministers, all other lawmakers are part of the Balochistan government and members of the treasury benches in the assembly. Speaker Aslam Bhootani is in his hometown in Lasbela District.
Soon after the assembly convened, Akhwandzada drew the attention of the house towards the lack of quorum. “It is regrettable that in a house of 65 members, barely two are present,” a frustrated Agha said.
“I ask the assembly’s secretary to take up the issue with Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani and inform him about this lack of interest.” He then adjourned the session to December 28.
Another indication of lawmakers’ lack of interest in assembly proceedings is that during the ongoing session, the question and answer session has been adjourned twice due to the absence of either the relevant provincial minister or the lawmaker who has tabled the questions.
In a province battling as many problems as Balochistan, the apathy of its lawmakers is appalling.
On Monday, only two of 65 members turned up at the Balochistan Assembly for a scheduled meeting, compelling Deputy Speaker Matiullah Agha to adjourn the session without any proceedings.
The members present were Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s Abdul Samad Akhwandzada and Jaffar Mandokhel. Except for three absentee ministers, all other lawmakers are part of the Balochistan government and members of the treasury benches in the assembly. Speaker Aslam Bhootani is in his hometown in Lasbela District.
Soon after the assembly convened, Akhwandzada drew the attention of the house towards the lack of quorum. “It is regrettable that in a house of 65 members, barely two are present,” a frustrated Agha said.
“I ask the assembly’s secretary to take up the issue with Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani and inform him about this lack of interest.” He then adjourned the session to December 28.
Another indication of lawmakers’ lack of interest in assembly proceedings is that during the ongoing session, the question and answer session has been adjourned twice due to the absence of either the relevant provincial minister or the lawmaker who has tabled the questions.