PPP MNAs stage walkout from NA over ministers’ continuous absence
Lawmakers from govt’s coalition partner had been voicing their frustration over absence of cabinet members
- Walkout results in prorogation of 11th session before its scheduled end.
- Deputy speaker tells lawmakers about writing letter to PM in this regard.
- Naveed Qamar says ministers given free hand not to attend proceedings.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmakers staged a walkout from the National Assembly on Thursday, expressing strong disapproval of the persistent absence of cabinet members during proceedings, resulting in the prorogation of the 11th session before its scheduled end, The News reported.
The business advisory committee, chaired by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq had initially planned to run the session till today (December 20).
For the past week, parliamentarians from the government’s coalition partner PPP, had voiced their frustration over the absence of ministers responsible for addressing issues pertaining to their respective portfolios.
On Thursday, Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah, who was presiding over the proceedings, told them he had already written a letter to the prime minister apprising him of the reservations of MNAs regarding ministers’ attitude.
PPP MNA Naveed Qamar and Agha Rafiullah, on receiving unsatisfactory replies from parliamentary secretaries, said the cabinet members with their absence had been making a mockery of parliament.
Naveed Qamar said the ministers had been given a free hand not to attend the house proceedings and instead ask parliamentary secretaries to represent them.
Earlier, Syed Naveed Qamar raised concern about the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). “There is talk of re-privatising the national institution. Has a timeframe been set?” he asked.
Responding to the query, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Nazeer Tarar said that the bidding process for PIA’s privatisation would be relaunched with expectations of receiving better bids. “It is good news that our routes to Europe have been restored. This time, we believe the bids will be more favourable.”
In response to another question, Parliamentary Secretary Wajiha Qamar updated the National Assembly on the progress of the 8.9-kilometre northbound carriageway project on Manghopir Road, Karachi. She said that the project is expected to be completed within the next two months. After that, the deputy speaker read order to prorogue the session, which had started on December 10.
