A year of embarrassment for treasury in NA.

Byline: Javaid-ur-Rahman

ISLAMABAD -- The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, despite its tall claims to ensure maximum presence in the parliament, has to face embarrassment for nine times due to lack of required strength in year 2019.

The opposition parties' lawmakers have managed to suspend the proceedings of National Assembly [which led to adjournment of the house] in different sittings.

According to the rules and procedures of National Assembly (Article-55), 'At any time during a sitting, attention of the chairperson is drawn to the fact that less than one-fourth [86 MNAs] is present, he/she shall either suspend the business of the National Assembly, or cause the bells to be rung for five minutes to maintain quorum,'. According to the figures available with The Nation, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was on the top in pointing out lack of required strength in the lower house of parliament.

As PPP's Syed Rafi Ullah, Shahida Rehmani and Abdul Qadir Patel blocked the proceedings of the house mostly during the debates when less than 86 MNAs were attending the house. The PML-N, largest opposition party, had successfully suspended the proceedings for two times in a year. PML-N's Samina Matloob and Dr Darshan pointed out lack of required strength in the house.

Govt presents 21 ordinances but takes back nine under pressure

Interestingly, two members from the allied parties of the PTI government, including Ali Gohar Mahar from Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) and Shahnaz Naseer Baloch (BNP-Mengal) also pointed out lack of quorum during two different session of the parliament, says the figures [from 7th session to 17th session] shared by the FAFEN with The Nation.

The PTI MNAs during last government era [PML-N government tenure] used to strongly criticise the PML-N government for not managing required numbers of MNAs in the house and passing ordinances. Nonetheless, the present government in its tenure [from January to December] presented 21 ordinances despite the strong resistance from the opposition.

The 21 ordinances presented in the house were 'The Elections (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019', 'The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Ordinance, 2019 (Ordinance No.II of 2019)', 'The Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority', 'Ordinance, 2019 (Ordinance No. IV of 2019)', 'The Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019 (VI of 2019)', 'The Federal Government Employees Housing Authority Ordinance, 2019 (VIII. of 2019)', 'The National...