ISLAMABAD
Deputy Speaker (DS) National Assembly (NA) have written letters to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and minister for parliamentary affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry against federal ministers and parliamentary secretaries due to their absence from the recent NA session. Ghulam Mustafa Shah has made it clear in separate letters issued to PM and minister for parliamentary affairs that federal ministers and parliamentary secretaries were not present in the NA session held on March 20. There were 19 questions from ministry of power and ministry of communication. However ministers attached no importance to the house.
The representative of respective ministries were not present in the house to yield reply. This is disgrace of parliamentary traditions and overlooking the obligations. The cabinet members did not follow the basic principles of collective responsibility.
It becomes evident from the absence of ministers that they have no interest in addressing the matters of public interest. The objective of parliamentary accountability was also let down and there were no alternative arrangements in place to give replies to questions.
The responsibility rests with minister for parliamentary affairs to play his role in running the proceedings of this house business pertaining to legislation in befitting manner.
It is matter of regret that heavy amount is spent on NA sessions out of national kitty. But the real objective of these sessions is not achieved due to negligence of government.
It is collective responsibility of cabinet that it is accountable to parliament. Article 91 of the constitution is very clear in this respect but ministers demonstrated irresponsible attitude in the matter of parliamentary business.
Therefore, I am bringing this matter into your knowledge so that parliamentary proceedings could move ahead under democratic system and the objectives of parliamentary supremacy are achieved in synch with its spirit.
