Acting Senate chairman takes notice of absence of ministers

22 Jan, 2004

The acting Chairman Senate Khalilur Rehman on Wednesday, taking strong exception to the absence of ministers, said the matter will be taken up with Prime Minister.
Senators both from the opposition and the treasury benches complained about the ministers' absence during the proceedings, demanding the chair to take serious note of this.
Senator Raza Rabbani reminded the chair that on the private members day on Monday, several of the items, filed by both the sides were deferred due to non-availability of the ministers concerned.
"If the ministers are not ready to come to the session to respond to the queries, let the session be prorogued," asserted Raza Rabbani.
He was supported by Senators Safdar Abbasi, Professor Khurshid Ahmed and Mohim Khan Baloch.
Leader of the House, Wasim Sajjad seconded the views of the senators, saying the ministers should be present during the proceedings.
Someone from the opposition benches chanted, " the ministers should not take the Senate proceedings as joke".
The chair said that it was a very serious matter and would be taken up with the Prime Minister.

Read Comments