The government has finally conceded to the opposition demand for live coverage of Parliament proceedings on budget debate after around three hours topsy-turvy negotiations, which led to one-day delay in the debate. The debate on budget was scheduled to be initiated on Monday, however the demand by opposition leader Syed Khurshid Shah for live coverage of the debate and resistance by the ruling party led to walkout of all the opposition parties and suspension of the house proceedings for almost three hours.
Various rounds of discussion were held between opposition and government, which left the treasury with no option but to accept the opposition's demand after taking node from the top leadership. Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq adjourned the proceeding with announcement that debate would now be opened on Tuesday by opposition leader Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah of Pakistan People's Party (PPP).
Earlier, Khurshid Shah stated that parliament proceedings on budget should be given live coverage so that the people could know what the budget contains for them. Shah further stated that a precedent of live coverage of parliament's proceedings had already been set up during the anti-government sit-ins in August 2014.
He called upon the government to arrange live converge of the speeches of parliamentary leaders of opposition parties on budget. He further stated that this would strengthen the parliament. Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Adbul Rashid Godal said that proceedings of Sindh Assembly were already being given live converge, adding that giving live coverage of budget debate in National Assembly should also be telecast live. Shah Mehmood Qureshi of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said that the government must give serious consideration to the opposition demand because this would strengthen parliamentary oversight and lead to strengthening of the parliament.
He said that the Finance Bill is an important legislation which would have an impact on the lives of people in every nook and corner and live converge of the debate would enable them to understand it. Minister for Information Pervez Rashid stated that there was no past precedent of giving live converge to the speech of opposition leader during budget debate. He added that he was unable to take a decision in this regard. Rashid further argued that he had not taken decision to telecast live coverage of joint session of the Parliament during the sit-ins.
The decision was taken by the entire house with consensus, he added. He said that he was ready to hold discussion with the opposition on live coverage of debate on budget but no decision can be taken instantly. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that any decision on live converge would be taken forever and not for one sitting. If all the political parties are in consensus, a new dedicated channel can be set up for live coverage of the Parliament's proceedings. He said that his ministry was ready to provide funds for the purpose. Parliamentary leaders of opposition parties appreciated government decision of live telecast of budget debate.
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