National Assembly Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges has decided to constitute a subcommittee to finalise the procedure for Prime Minister's Question Hour session of the National Assembly.
The committee met with MNA Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon in the chair here at the Parliament House on Thursday and discussed the amendment moved by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan in the Rule 69 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007. The committee also discussed the question of privileges raised by the members of the Lower House of the Parliament.
The Prime Minister's Question Hour will be held after making amendments to the rules and procedures of the National Assembly. "Subject to availability of the Prime Minister, there will be Prime Minister's Question Hour on the first Wednesday once in each session for answering questions on the matters relating to overall substantive policy or the performance of the government," said the proposed legislation.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said that every Wednesday, one hour should be fixed for the Prime Minister's Question House session. He said that in case the Prime Minister is not available, the Prime Minister's Question Hour can be deferred by the speaker to the next Wednesday. He said that regular Question Hour may not be held on the day fixed for the Prime Minister's Question Hour.
He said that the members of the House would submit specific written questions to the Prime Minister and their written replies would be submitted in the National Assembly. However, he said that the members can ask supplementary questions relevant to the question.
He said if the questions are being submitted, the Prime Minister can get briefing from the departments concerned about the questions and he would come fully prepared to the House.
Committee member Shagufta Jumani belonging to Pakistan Peoples Party said that the Prime Minister should not be bound to give answers of specific questions. The Prime Minister should openly answer to the questions and in this regard, rules and regulations should be clear.
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Brigadier Ijaz Ahmed Shah (retd) said that it is responsibility of the government as well as opposition to run affairs of the Parliament. He said that there are already written rules and regulations to run the business of the House.
"We should amend the Rules of the Business of the House by keeping in mind the Prime Minister of the country, not a specific Prime Minister Imran Khan." Rana Sanaullah of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) said that a specific day should not be fixed for the Prime Minister's Question House. If time is available, the Prime Minister should come to the House to give answers of questions of any member of the Parliament.
He suggested constituting a subcommittee to finalise the matter and submitting its report with the committee. After having a detailed discussion, the committee unanimously decided to constitute a four-member subcommittee of the Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges for giving recommendations on the amendment.
Question of Privilege of MNA Abid Raza was in connection with implicating the member in a false politically-motivated case in Kakrali Police Station, Gujrat, by registering a fabricated first information report (FIR) against him, and alleged attempt by SP Headquarters Mian Tahir Bashir and DSP Mian Muhammad Arshad along with the police force to forcibly occupy his property (referred on 30-01-2019).
The committee recommended that the report thereof be submitted to the secretary of the committee before convening the next meeting of the committee. The last agenda item of the meeting was of the Question of Privilege of MNA Ali Nawaz Shah which was in connection with non-attending his telephone calls by the secretary local governments, government of Sindh, Karachi, and harassment to his voters by Deputy Commissioner Mehdi Shah, Mirpurkhas, and Superintendent of Police Abid Baloch, Mirpurkhas, (referred on 13-02-2019) was discussed in detail and settled on unconditional apology and assurances given by the concerned officers of the government of Sindh.
The committee further recommended if the mover will not be satisfied with the said decision, he can bring the question of privilege for re-consideration of the committee for further recommendation/ action.