Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges approved amendments to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007, during its meeting in Islamabad. The decision followed proposals by Ms. Aliya Kamran, MNA. The committee, chaired by Mr. Muhammad Afzal, MNA, also deferred a privilege motion against PIA due to the absence of its CEO.
The committee convened at the Parliament House to deliberate on multiple legislative proposals. The approved amendments, moved by Ms. Aliya Kamran, focused on Rule 208. The committee also discussed amendments proposed by Syed Rafiullah, MNA, concerning Rules 2, 247, and the introduction of a new Rule 39B. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs requested additional time to further consider these amendments, which the committee granted, planning a follow-up briefing in the next session.
A privilege motion by Mr. Abdul Qadir Patel, MNA, targeting Pakistan International Airline (PIA) officials, was postponed due to the absence of the airline’s CEO. The committee instructed that the CEO attend the next meeting to address the motion.
In a separate issue, a privilege motion from Mr. Fateh Ullah Khan, MNA, against Punjab Police was discussed. The committee recommended acquiring an audio recording of the incident and commencing an internal inquiry.
The committee reconstituted a Sub-Committee to examine amendments related to new Rules 295, 296, and changes in Rules 30, 31, and 205, proposed by Dr. Nafisa Shah, MNA. This Sub-Committee, led by Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, MNA, includes several other members and is tasked with reporting back within thirty days.
Additional meeting decisions included inviting key officials from the Capital Development Authority to the next session. The committee deferred a privilege question raised by Ms. Sabheen Ghouri, MNA, due to her absence.
The meeting saw participation from numerous MNAs and senior officers from various ministries and police departments, ensuring a comprehensive review of the agenda items.