Women's strength in committees: Parliamentary parties' heads invited to take decision

National Assembly Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges has invited heads of parliamentary parties to discuss and decide increase in the strength of female lawmakers in committees of the Parliament.

The committee met with Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon in the chair here at the Parliament House on Monday. The committee discussed the proposed amendment moved by Shazia Marri for increasing the strength of women in committees of the parliament and various privileges moved by the members of the National Assembly (MNAs).

Shazia Mari of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) moved a bill in which she proposed to provide one-fourth of the total strength of the committee to women members. The amendments are proposed in Rules 200(1), 206, 208(1), 210, 212, 244(A)(2), 244(B) and 244(C)(2) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007.

Marri said the participation of women should be increased in the composition of National Assembly standing committees, parliamentary committees, select committees and special committees of the Parliament.

Secretary Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Malik Ghauri said that there is 19 percent participation of women in the committees including 8 percent of women elected on general seats and 16 percent of women elected on reserved seats.

Shagufta Jumani said the party leadership would be bound through this legislation to increase the strength of their women MNAs in committees.

After detailed discussion, the committee unanimously decided to invite parliamentary leaders in the committee meeting for their views/stance on this legislation for obtaining their comments. It is also suggested that subject matter may be circulated to the leaders of the parliamentary parties for their views/stance in that regard.

The committee discussed a question of privilege raised by MNA Muhammad Afzal Khokhar regarding incorrect reply provided by the SNGPL/Ministry of Petroleum on the floor of the National Assembly. The committee directed the managing director SNGPL to coordinate with the member for addressing the problems being faced by him in his constituency due to non-supply of gas schemes, etc. The committee also recommended that managing director SNGPL will submit report to the committee within 15 days.

The committee discussed the questions on privilege raised by MNA Dr Haider Ali regarding alleged reimbursement of huge money by the member on account of his treatment as published in a media report on 23.08.2019. The committee directed the secretary information to probe into the matter and redress the grievances of the member with his consultation and a compliance report on the issue may be submitted before the committee within 15 days.

The committee discussed the question of privilege raised by MNA Ali Nawaz Awan regarding baseless allegations made by Sardar Ghulam Mustafa, DSP police station Khanna, Islamabad, in an open court at Mauza Sohan on 6th December, 2019 against him. The committee expressed its displeasure on the absence of secretary interior, chief commissioner and IGP Islamabad.

The committee unanimously decided to defer the agenda till its next meeting and directed the representatives of Interior Ministry, ICT and Islamabad Police to request their senior officers for attending the next meeting of the committee in this regard.

The committee discussed the issues regarding release of funds by the Ministry of Finance for hiring/training of human resource and other facilities to Motorway Police/NHA. The joint secretary finance informed that the ministry is already on board with Motorway Police.

However, the committee directed the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Communication and Additional IG Motorway Police to arrange a special meeting for considering the issues of Motorway Police regarding release of logistic and operational funds on priority basis. The committee also recommended that Ministry of Finance will submit its report to the committee within 15 days.

The committee deferred the question of privilege raised by MNA Muhammad Aslam Khan, regarding a raid carried out on his offices without prior information and seizure of his files/record on a false report, due to his absence from the meeting. It was unanimously decided by the committee that subject matter would be disposed of in case the mover remains absent from the next meeting of the committee.

The committee also deferred the question of privilege raised by MNA Atta Ullah regarding non-response to his telephone calls by managing director Water Board Karachi and Humayun Sagheer, Regional Head K-Electric, on the request of the mover due to his illness.

The committee discussed the question of privilege raised by Abdul Majeed Niazi against Liaqat Ali Tarar, DSP tehsil Karor Lal Eason, district Layyah. The district police officer (DPO) briefed the committee about the further outcome of the said issue. However, the committee deferred the matter due to the absence of the mover.

The committee, once again, directed the deputy director Parliament Lodges to resolve the issues being faced by the parliamentarians in the Parliament Lodges due to poor maintenance work made by the CDA.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019