PPP MNAs walk out of NA over ‘constant’ absence of ministers

ISLAMABAD: A strong protest and walkout from the proceedings of lower house of parliament by PPP parliamentarians against continuous absence of cabinet members marked the prorogation of the 11th session of the National Assembly on Thursday.

The session was prorogued a day before schedule. Earlier, it was decided at business advisory committee, chaired by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq prior to start of the session, that it would continue till December 20. The parliamentarians from government ally party had been protesting for the last one week against the absence of cabinet members in the House to take care of business related to them.

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 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.