Senate Chairman Sajiq Sanjrani on Thursday referred a privilege motion of a National Party lawmaker against the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to the Senate’s Committee on Privileges.
The parliamentary leaders of PML-F, PML-N, PkMAP, PTI, JI and NP were present.
As many as 13 Senators (12% of the total membership) were present at the outset and 19 (18%) at the end of the sitting.
Only one out of four minority Senators attended the proceedings.
A member of the Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication presented the committee’s report regarding closure of internet services in Kalat district and unavailability of telecommunication services in various parts of Balochistan.
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs made a statement on a PPP lawmaker’s calling attention notice, highlighting the statement of Indian Foreign Minister about Kartarpur border opening. The minister consumed 47 minutes in replying to the notice and the supplementary queries of the lawmakers concerning Pakistan’s foreign relations with several world and neighboring nations.
The House did not address another calling attention notice regarding reduction in Pakistani exports to Afghanistan due to absence of the movers of the notice.
The House took up six out of 46 starred questions and referred a question to the relevant standing committee. The lawmakers asked 15 supplementary questions as well. The House granted 30-day extension to the Standing Committee on Petroleum for presenting its report on suspension of gas supply in Sindh. Tabled by the Leader of the House, the house passed a motion authorising the Senate chairman to nominate six senators for representation in Public Accounts Committee.
As many as nine lawmakers raised Points of Public Importance consuming 32 minutes of the proceedings.
The House deferred the scheduled debate on presidential address and presentation of a statutory report.
The House was adjourned to meet again today at 1030 hours.
Published in Daily Times, December 21st 2018.
