Several lawmakers complained that ministers did not attend assembly proceedings. PHOTO: FILE
The MPA demanded a salary review. His reservations were well received by the treasury bench.
The question hour was marked by a lively debate by lawmakers who expressed dissatisfaction over answers given by provincial ministers.
Earlier this week, several lawmakers complained that ministers did not attend assembly proceedings.
On Friday, seven ministers – Zakat and Ushr; Labour and Human Resource; Home; Mines and Minerals; and Human Rights; Ministers for Food and Industries; and Commerce and Investment – attended the proceedings. Deputy Speaker Sher Ali Gorchani chaired the session. The session was interrupted twice by MPA Ehsan Riaz Fatayana who pointed out lack of quorum. The session was adjourned till Monday as the House failed to complete its business, which included receiving seven reports, including four audit reports.
During the questions session, several lawmakers challenged the responses of ministers for food and industries.
Mian Tariq argued that the Department of Industries, Commerce and Investment had given the House misleading information that Dinga City had been refused a TEVTA institute because it was smaller than Kharian in terms of population. Industries Minister Chaudhry Muhammad Shafique replied that the information might not have been updated since the census in 1998.
Vickas Hassan Mokal raised an issue regarding the approval of drains to dispose of waste water from textile factories.
The industries minister said the Irrigation Department had given the approval for drains. He evaded other questions that Mokal raised, saying they did not pertain to his department. Mokal retorted that the minister shouldn’t bother responding to any queries since they did not pertain to his department.
Gorchani intervened saying that relevant departments must respond to queries.
Sardar Shahabbud Din raised reservations regarding data presented by the Food Department regarding funds allocated for southern Punjab. Food Minister Bilal Yasin said he was willing to defend the data under question.
Minister for Mines and Minerals Sher Ali Khan said prior to the discovery of iron and copper reserves near Chiniot, mineral resources had never been explored in the country. He said this was the first time a government had taken such an initiative. He said that the Chinese company exploring the area had been hired through a transparent process. He said, “They had no other interests.”
The minister said the government hoped to expand exploration to oil by the end of the year.
Shahabbud Din expressed reservations regarding why local experts had not been hired. The session will resume at 3pm on Monday.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2015.
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