PTI moves SHC against non-inclusion of pre-budget debate in assembly’s business

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Monday filed a petition in the Sindh High Court against the non-inclusion of a pre-budget debate in the business of the provincial assembly in violation of Rule 143 of the assembly.

PTI MPA and leader of opposition Syed Firdous Shamim Naqvi submitted that the ministry of law and parliamentary affairs neither included in the list of business a pre-budget discussion nor was it adhering to the positive obligation imposed upon them by the rules of procedure of the assembly for seeking proposals from him or from other members of the assembly.

He submitted that as per Rule 143 it is incumbent upon the government to call for a pre-budget discussion and conduct a general discussion during the session to seek proposals from the members of the assembly during the session of January to March each year.

Naqvi stated that the pre-budget debate for the fiscal year of 2019-2020 was meant to take place between January and March; however, the respondents had not intentionally included the pre-budget debate in the business of the assembly.

He submitted that the government acted malafidely by not allowing the debate to take place and put the issue of public importance on the backburner.

The court was requested to declare the act of the government of acting against the statutory requirements in Rule 143 (1) was illegal and issue a writ of mandamus asking the respondents to act in accordance with the Rules stipulated in the rules of procedure of the Sindh Assembly 2013 and conduct a pre-budget session as per Rule 143.

Talking to journalists after filing the petition, Naqvi said the chief minister and the ruling party failed to implement the rules and the session started on January 6 was still continuing. He said that people facing NAB charges had become members of the Public Account Committee and hinted that the PTI would file another petition against the affairs of the PAC.