Sanjrani to chair meeting to discuss modalities for Senate session.

Byline: Amir Wasim

ISLAMABAD -- Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani has convened a meeting of the House Business Advisory Committee on Friday (today) to discuss the modalities and agenda for the upcoming session of the upper house of parliament.

The opposition parties had on Wednesday submitted a requisition notice for convening the session of the Senate under Article 54(3) of the Constitution with a five-point agenda, mainly seeking discussion on issues related to the coronavirus situation and its impact on the country's economy.

Under the Constitution, the Senate chairman is bound to convene the session within 14 days i.e. by May 20.

Sources in the government and the opposition told Dawn that the chairman might convene the session next week when the National Assembly would already be in session.

The sources said the government wanted to have a similar understanding with the opposition in the Senate, which it had agreed for the National Assembly.

The government and the opposition had reached an understanding for convening the physical session of the National Assembly from May 11 under strict adherence to health guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The National Assembly sittings will be held on alternate days for a limited duration and only to hold a discussion on the current situation due to spread of Covid-19 in the country and its impact on the economy and the steps taken by the government to fight the pandemic.

The two sides had agreed that there would be no question hour during the NA session. Similarly, the members would not be allowed to move call-attention notices and privilege and adjournment motions during the session.

The issue of attendance of the members has been left on the parliamentary leaders of the parties and they will decide as to which member will attend the sitting on which day. Besides this, the two sides had also agreed that quorum would not be pointed out during the sittings.

Talking to Dawn, Leader of the House in the Senate and Minister for Information Shibli Faraz said the sessions of the two houses of...

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