National Assembly quorum was finally completed after an awkward start on Wednesday, allowing the government to push through most of its planned business and avoid further embarrassment.
The session began with strong criticism from opposition and PPP members over the absence of federal and state ministers. Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah opened Question Hour but quickly suspended proceedings when the lack of attendance was pointed out. Opposition lawmakers then staged a walkout, leaving only a few PPP members in the house.
Recounting of members started at 3:55 pm once a solid number of PML-N lawmakers had gathered. This enabled the house to resume work. Seven bills were tabled and eight reports were laid before the assembly. Discussions also took place on two calling-attention notices. Four bills scheduled for passage that day were deliberately skipped. This move appeared aimed at keeping business smooth while the PPP continued to threaten opposition to any legislation until its grievances were addressed.
A rare appearance by Hamza Shehbaz, son of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, became a lively moment. Party colleagues crowded around him and raised slogans of “Hamza Shehbaz Sharif Zindabad.” PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also made brief visits to the floor and exchanged views.
On a calling-attention notice about ten Pakistani crew members held by Somali pirates, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said efforts were under way to secure their return. He noted the pirates had demanded three million dollars in ransom. The government remains reluctant to pay, fearing it could encourage more abductions. Mover Abdul Qadir Patel challenged the minister’s account of earlier discussions and offered to resign if proven wrong. MQM leader Farooq Sattar suggested raising charity funds if the government could not pay, even offering contributions from development allocations of MQM members. The minister clarified that the government does not give such funds directly to MNAs.
In another notice, PTI’s Asad Qaisar raised the ban on urea supply to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Food Security Minister Rana Tanvir explained the restriction followed reports that urea was being used by terrorists to make improvised explosive devices in troubled areas of the province.
Despite the rocky opening, the government managed to complete the day’s core agenda and restore some order to the house proceedings.
