The legislation of two bills and moving of a resolution could not be carried out in the Balochistan Assembly on Monday due to short of quorum pointed out twice by a treasury member. Speaker Muhammad Aslam Bhootani presided over the assembly sitting, which started 43 minutes late behind its fixed time.
When Speaker asked to initiate question hour, the Pakistan Peoples Party MPA Haji Ali Madad Jatak pointed out the lack of quorum as only 12 legislators out of total 65 were present in the house. The Speaker directed to switch on quorum bells for 15 minutes.
After that, he allowed Minister for Agriculture Mir Asad Baloch to speak on point of order, when he stood to speak, Jatak once again pointed out lack of quorum. The Speaker once again asked to ring quorum bells for five minutes. After passage of the five minutes, treasury bench could not meet the quorum. The speaker gave remarks that it was regrettable that despite a more than 50-member cabinet in Balochistan, ministers used to avoid attending assembly proceedings, causing lack of quorum.
He asked Asad to communicate his message to the Leader of the House to make ministers and treasury members bound to attend the proceedings. He noted that according to agenda today (Monday) was the day of legislation as the agenda included two bills and one resolution. Later, he adjourned the house till 14th October 11am. Meanwhile, speaking to media persons at his chamber, he lamented that most of lawmakers avoided to attend assembly proceedings. He said that although Chief Minister of Balochistan had to visit Islamabad to get Balochistan's problems resolved adding but the ministers should avoid attitude of absence while assembly session was initiated. He hoped that in next session, treasury bench would ensure maintenance of quorum in the house.