Parliamentary Committee Directs Action on Rule Amendments and Defers Privilege Cases
ISLAMABAD – The Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges convened a significant meeting at the Parliament House yesterday, chaired by Muhammad Afzal, MNA. The session focused on critical parliamentary matters, including amendments to procedural rules and the consideration of privilege questions.
Amendments to National Assembly Rules Directed for Further Action
After thorough deliberation, the committee directed the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs to place amendments proposed by Syed Rafiullah, MNA. These amendments pertain to rule 2, sub-rule (4) of rule 43, rule 247, and the insertion of a new rule after rule 39B in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007. The committee specifically instructed the ministry to include these amendments in the agenda of the upcoming House Business Advisory Committee meeting, ensuring they receive proper consideration at the highest parliamentary levels.
Privilege Cases Deferred and Disposed
The committee also addressed several questions of privilege. One case, moved by Khawaja Izhar Ul Hassan, MNA, involved a lawsuit filed against him in the court of the Senior Civil Judge, Karachi (East) by Mr. Imtiaz Ali Shah, former Director General of the Solid Waste Management Board. The mover informed the committee that Mr. Shah had authorized Mr. Gulfaraz Ahmed Khan to initiate civil or criminal proceedings against him as a Member of the National Assembly, as well as other officials of the Karachi Hockey Association and Pakistan Hockey Federation. After discussions, the committee decided to defer this agenda item until its next meeting.
In another matter, the committee considered a privilege question by Mr. Wasim Qadir, MNA, against the Executive Director of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC). Following deliberation, the committee resolved to dispose of this issue upon the satisfaction of Mr. Qadir, indicating a resolution that met the mover's concerns.
Attendance and Participation
The meeting saw robust attendance from MNAs, including Mr. Azhar Qayyum Nahra, Mr. Waseem Qadir, Pir Syed Fazal Ali Shah Jillani, Ms. Shagufta Jumani, Mr. Ramesh Lal, Khawaja Izhar ul Hassan, Ms. Naeema Kishwer Khan, Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar (online), and Malik Muhammad Aamir Dogar (online). Syed Rafiullah, MNA, also participated virtually. Senior officers from key ministries and bodies, such as the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, Establishment Division, Capital Development Authority, Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, and NAVTTC, were present, underscoring the meeting's importance in coordinating parliamentary and administrative functions.
