The National Assembly's fourth session would be held on August 13 and approval would be taken from the House for constituting standing committees of various federal ministries, it is learnt. As many as 34 standing committees of the National Assembly including one special committee on Kashmir Affairs would be constituted.
According to sources, President Asif Ali Zardari would summon the session on August 13 (Tuesday) and National Assembly Secretariat would issue its notification within next two days. The government would also present "Motion of Thanks" in the Lower House of the Parliament for debate on the President's address to the joint session of parliament.
Sources revealed that the Opposition would raise issues during the session including an increase in electricity tariff, a rise in the general price level, continued load-shedding and law and order situation in the country. Loss of life and property due to recent floods would also be discussed in the House. As many as 28 standing committees on various ministries would be constituted. While Public Accounts Committee (PAC), standing committees on Housing and Library, Government Assurance, Rules and Procedure and Privilege, Business Advisory Committee, Finance Committee of the National Assembly and a special committee on Kashmir Affairs would also be constituted.
The sources said that the PML-N wanted to keep chairmanship of the Standing Committees of key ministries such as Interior Ministry, Water and Power, Commerce, Industries etc while under the Charter of Democracy (CoD) as well as precedence set by the PPP led coalition government the chairpersonship of the powerful Public Accounts Committee would be given to the opposition. The government and opposition should have completed the consultation process for the chairmanship of the PAC, but they have still to make any formal contact in this regard, sources disclosed. The PPP is considering proposing Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, the sister of President Asif Ali Zardari, as PAC chairperson.
The sources said that chairmanship of at least nine committees would be given to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), while chairpersonship of three committees each would be given to Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI); chairmanship of two committees would be given to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and chairmanship of one committee each would be given to Jamiat Uleam-e-Islam (JUI-F), Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) and independent candidates.