Discrimination?: Frequent absence of ministers from house irks senators

Senator Adeel has recently moved a resolution to seek an amendment to the rules of business.


Peer Muhammad December 16, 2012

ISLAMABAD:


Senators across party lines have raised a hue and cry over the frequent absence of ministers from the sessions of the upper house of parliament.


They are unhappy with what they think is “discriminatory attitude” of the prime minister and his cabinet members towards the Senate in comparison to the National Assembly.

Senate Chairman Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari and his predecessor Farooq H Naek have vainly tried time and again to ensure presence of the ministers in the Senate. In a jarring contrast, the premier and his cabinet members regularly grace National Assembly sessions with considerable joviality.

“We feel that the incumbent, as well as the former, prime ministers have been ignoring the Senate, as have the ministers,” ANP Senator Haji Adeel told The Express Tribune. “I think the Senate is disregarded because it has no power to move a no-confidence motion and no power to pass a budget. That’s why they take it lightly.”

Under the 18th amendment, the premier and his cabinet are bound to provide equal time and response to both houses of parliament. However, according to Senator Adeel, this has never been observed in practice.

“We have frequently pointed towards this discrimination carried out by key government functionaries,” he said, adding that it seriously affects day-to-day business of the Senate.

Senator Adeel has recently moved a resolution to seek an amendment to the rules of business. In his opinion,  a matter should be referred to the house privilege committee if a minister does not turn up twice when there is business pertaining to his ministry.

Haji Adeel

Moreover, he has also suggested amending the rules to reflect that if a ministry does not respond to a particular question within a certain timeframe, action will be taken against the concerned secretary. Presently, the rules are silent in this regard.

MQM Senator Tahir Mashadi shares the view that, despite frequent notice, ministers do not give time to the Senate. “This is their democratic responsibility. The ministers are answerable for both the houses.  This is crucial for democracy to flourish in Pakistan.”

Leader of the House in Senate Jahangir Badar reiterated this point. If both houses are in session, ministers have traditionally preferred to attend the National Assembly sitting, he said. However, in defence of the ministers, he added that they do attend Senate sessions if there is any relevant business to take care of.

Commenting on the premier’s presence of in the Senate, Senator Badar said, “The prime minister is a very busy person and has to deal with many issues. That is why he does not have much time to give to the Senate.” He added that the premier has attended lower house sessions twice since assuming charge.

“We are thinking of amending the rules that if the relevant member is absent from the session then the business should be carried out by another member on his/her behalf without lapsing it,” Senator Badar said. “The issue will soon be referred to the house rules and procedure committee which will look into the matter and recommend necessary amendments.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16th, 2012.

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