A meeting of members of the treasury and opposition benches was held here on Thursday with Dr Fehmida Mirza, Speaker National Assembly in the chair. Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Leader of the Opposition, Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker National Assembly, Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah, Minster for Religious Affairs, Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Water and Power, MNAs Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Nawab Yousaf Talpur, Chaudhry Muhammad Barjees Tahir, Rana Tanvir Ahmad Khan, Sheikh Aftab Ahmad, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry attended the meeting.
The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. The Speaker appreciated the sagacious role of Leader of the House and Leader of the Opposition for strengthening of the parliament. Leader of Opposition praised the Speaker and Deputy Speaker for their exceptional role as the custodian of the House.
After thorough discussion broader outlines were agreed between the Treasury and Opposition benches to uphold the supremacy of parliament, to make its proceedings, meaningful and productive. It was decided that all the issues of urgent public interest would be taken up in the Business Advisory Committee at the commencement of the each session of the National Assembly and its decision would be conveyed to all the Members of the Parliamentary parties for strict adherence.
It was also decided that the attendance of the Members would be responsibility of the Chief Whips of the respective parliamentary parties, especially during the Question Hour and other important parliamentary debates. Both the parties had a consensus that the Ministers and the concerned Secretaries would remain present during the Question hours on their Rota days and while their legislative business was being taken up in the House.-PR