Delaying tactics

Answering questions put by the people’s representatives should normally rank highest on the list of priorities for government departments. It appears, however, this is not the case at either the provincial or the national level. According to a seminar conducted in Islamabad, by the Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives, it took an average of nine months for a question raised in the Punjab Assembly to be answered. Speakers at the seminar, who included parliamentarians, former police officers and other experts, pointed out that the question-and-answer session was the most important part of any representative body’s proceedings, as it paved the way for openness and transparency in government that is so badly needed.

The National Assembly was not much better at responding to questions put to it by lawmakers. According to the data presented, of the 8,660 questions raised during the first parliamentary year, only 31.2 per cent were answered. The largest number of questions pertained to police working and performance. Departmental delays in responding to the queries forwarded to them, long gaps in the convening of parliament and the frequent absence of both ministers and members were cited as the major factors for the prolonged period of time taken in responding to the questions.

This is clearly not a reassuring state of affairs. The attitude taken by the assemblies suggests a disturbing lack of priority given to addressing concerns. This, of course, should be the basic purpose of the legislature. Otherwise, the reasons for its existence begin to come under doubt. The ruling party must, of course, take the lead in this matter, by setting the right precedent. The laxity we see is simply unacceptable. It has existed in the past as well, with parliamentary performance coming under frequent scrutiny. The detailed findings put forward on a specific aspect of parliamentary function are important. They help us to pin-point precisely where the problem lies. Those who sit in the assemblies must realise the urgent need to do better if they want to serve the people who voted for them in the first place.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2014.

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