The National Assembly once again witnessed a thin attendance of federal ministers during the Question Hour on Wednesday, following which National Assembly Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi directed the government to ensure presence of its federal ministers during the Question Hour.
MNAs belonging to the opposition benches registered a strong protest on the issue.
Minister for Religious Affairs Khurshid Shah said he would not defend the ministers who were absent from the House, adding that they should be present to respond queries related to their ministries and departments.
PML-N’s Barjees Tahir expressed serious concerns over the issue, saying if the ministers could not appear in NA sessions, they should not hold their positions.
On a point of order, MNA Himayatullah Mayar pointed out that no one had opposed to the role of Punjab while debating on the controversial Kalabagh Dam, however whenever the issue was debated upon in House, Punjab would be a part of the discussion as the Lahore High Court’s, that gave the decision on the controversial dam, was situated in Punjab.
He was of the view that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had rendered more sacrifices as compared to any other province in the ongoing war against terrorism, adding that now the people of the people did not want the dam to be constructed, so the issue should be buried forever. He said the Kalabagh Dam would only cause more differences among the provinces.
JUI-F MNA Asia Nasir lauded the government’s decision to raise the number of seats for minorities in the National Assembly, saying the bill should be tabled as soon as possible.
Following a calling attention notice by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in connection with the airing of international drama serials by local channels, the minister for regulation and services said after devolution of powers, the Film Department had also been transferred to the provinces.
He was of the view that currently the film censor board alone was working as a regulator.
The National Assembly was informed by the Ministry for Water and Power that India had made five violations of the Indus River Treaty since October 1999. The ministry concerned said India had assured Pakistan that it would remove the objections raised by Pakistan in connection with Kishan Ganga Hydro project.
The Ministry for Religious Affairs said the new Haj Policy was in its final stages and would soon be presented in the federal cabinet for its approval, however adding that the new Haj Expenditures would be announced later.
Barjees Tahir Zindabad!
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