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Pakistan National Assembly Overcomes Low Quorum Start, Tables Bills Amidst Political Tensions
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Elections & Politics

Pakistan National Assembly Overcomes Low Quorum Start, Tables Bills Amidst Political Tensions

From Dawn · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Pakistan's National Assembly initially faced embarrassment due to low attendance of treasury members but later achieved quorum.
  • Seven bills were tabled and eight reports were presented, while four bills scheduled for passage were skipped due to the PPP's threat to oppose legislation.
  • A discussion on abducted Pakistani sailors highlighted the government's reluctance to pay ransom due to fears of encouraging further abductions.

Pakistan's National Assembly experienced a turbulent start to its session on Wednesday, grappling with low attendance from treasury members that led to an initial suspension due to lack of quorum. The embarrassment was palpable as opposition members criticized the absence of ministers during the Question Hour. The session was promptly suspended by Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah when the opposition pointed out the quorum issue.

Hamza Shehbaz Sharif Zindabad

— PML-N supportersSlogans chanted by party colleagues celebrating the appearance of Hamza Shehbaz.

Following the suspension, opposition members staged a walkout, leaving only a handful of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) members present. However, the situation improved around 3:55 pm when a significant number of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) members arrived, allowing proceedings to resume. Subsequently, the government managed to table seven bills and lay eight reports, while also discussing two calling-attention notices.

all-out efforts were being made to bring the Pakistanis back to the country.

— Tariq Fazal ChaudhryMinister for Parliamentary Affairs on efforts to rescue abducted sailors.

The PPP's ongoing grievances led them to threaten opposition to any legislation, causing four bills scheduled for passage to be deferred. This move aimed to ensure smoother conduct of house business amidst the political tension. Notable figures like PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and PML-N leader Hamza Shehbaz made brief appearances, with Hamza receiving a celebratory reception from his party colleagues.

the pirates had demanded $3 million as ransom, and the government was reluctant to pay it because, if it did, it may open the floodgates for others to do the same.

— Tariq Fazal ChaudhryExplaining the government's stance on paying ransom to Somali pirates.

A significant point of discussion was the plight of 10 Pakistani sailors held hostage by Somali pirates. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry confirmed efforts were underway but revealed the pirates demanded a $3 million ransom. The government expressed reluctance to pay, fearing it could encourage more abductions. Abdul Qadir Patel, who raised the issue, disputed the minister's claims of progress, while MQM leader Farooq Sattar suggested fundraising efforts if the government couldn't meet the ransom demand.

if the government could not pay the ransom, his party could try to raise funds through charity.

— Farooq SattarMQM leader offering alternative solutions for the abducted sailors.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dawn in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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