Punjab Assembly: Session adjourned over law minister’s absence
Debate on five private member resolutions will resume today .
PHOTO: EXPRESS
LAHORE:
Acting Speaker Sher Ali Gorchani on Tuesday adjourned the session without completing the agenda which included debate on five private member resolutions in view of Law Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman’s absence from the House.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Parliamentary Secretary Nazar Hussain Gondal had to bear the brunt of the minister’s absence as Gorchani censured him for what he said was ‘non-serious’ behaviour of the treasury. The acting speaker said never before had he witnessed such parliamentary practices. “The house proceedings are no joke. This is unacceptable and regretful,” he said.
The resolutions kept pending sought action on the non-availability of vaccines for prevention of water-borne diseases and Hepatitis C, increased staff strength at the National Database and Regulatory Authority (NADRA) offices, reduction in the fare for the Pakistan International Airlines Umra operations and improved enforcement of the prohibition on intoxicants.
The session was earlier suspended for half an hour to allow talks with a group of journalists protesting in front of the assembly building. The protesters had blocked the roads leading to Charing Cross and also boycotted the session. A treasury and an opposition member were sent to meet the protestors. The proceedings resumed after almost an hour but the House could not be informed about the talks as Sardar Shahabud Din, who was sent by the opposition, failed to return to the House.
Matters pertaining to the Mines and Minerals and the Excise and Taxation Departments were discussed during the question hour.
Other issues discussed on Tuesday included nonpayment to farmers by sugar mills. Sheikh Alaud Din said mills in Kasur owed about Rs1 billion to farmers in his constituency.
The acting speaker also informed the House about the names of lawmakers who had missed 40 sittings of the House.
The session will now continue at 10am on Wednesday morning (today). Questions pertaining to the Labour and Human Resource and Women Development Departments will be taken up besides the ongoing pre-budget debate.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 1st, 2015.
Acting Speaker Sher Ali Gorchani on Tuesday adjourned the session without completing the agenda which included debate on five private member resolutions in view of Law Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman’s absence from the House.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Parliamentary Secretary Nazar Hussain Gondal had to bear the brunt of the minister’s absence as Gorchani censured him for what he said was ‘non-serious’ behaviour of the treasury. The acting speaker said never before had he witnessed such parliamentary practices. “The house proceedings are no joke. This is unacceptable and regretful,” he said.
The resolutions kept pending sought action on the non-availability of vaccines for prevention of water-borne diseases and Hepatitis C, increased staff strength at the National Database and Regulatory Authority (NADRA) offices, reduction in the fare for the Pakistan International Airlines Umra operations and improved enforcement of the prohibition on intoxicants.
The session was earlier suspended for half an hour to allow talks with a group of journalists protesting in front of the assembly building. The protesters had blocked the roads leading to Charing Cross and also boycotted the session. A treasury and an opposition member were sent to meet the protestors. The proceedings resumed after almost an hour but the House could not be informed about the talks as Sardar Shahabud Din, who was sent by the opposition, failed to return to the House.
Matters pertaining to the Mines and Minerals and the Excise and Taxation Departments were discussed during the question hour.
Other issues discussed on Tuesday included nonpayment to farmers by sugar mills. Sheikh Alaud Din said mills in Kasur owed about Rs1 billion to farmers in his constituency.
The acting speaker also informed the House about the names of lawmakers who had missed 40 sittings of the House.
The session will now continue at 10am on Wednesday morning (today). Questions pertaining to the Labour and Human Resource and Women Development Departments will be taken up besides the ongoing pre-budget debate.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 1st, 2015.