[wp_ad_camp_1]Parliamentarians finding solace in cricket
By Qadeer Tanoli
Islamabad
Pakistani Parliament has set a new precedent by preparing to participate in intra-parliamentary cricket for the first time, a step that might draw criticism when the electorate would like to assess their real performance for which they have elected them.
All the parties have shown unanimity and sportsmanship by participating in training camp of cricket but the same parliamentarians are yet to ask for any substantial legislation in this assembly which was formed after July 18 General Election.
Pakistani parliamentarians have started net practice to participate in Inter-Parliamentary Cricket Tournament scheduled in United Kingdom from July 8-15.
Speaker National Assembly, Asad Qaisar on Tuesday inaugurated the training batting training camp while Deputy Speaker National Assembly, Qasim Khan Suri inaugurated bowling training camp for the parliamentarians.
The members of the Parliament including Malik Anwar Taj Advocate, Imran Khattak, Shair Ali Arbab, Makhdoom Zain Qureshi, Shahid Ahmad, Sajid Hussain Turi, Raja Khurram Shahzad, Ali Nawaz Awan and others participated in the inaugural training session.
The Parliamentarians of eight countries (taking part in the ICC World Cup) will play the Inter – Parliamentary Cricket Tournament to be held alongside the ICC Cricket World Cup.
In order to ensure participation of a well–prepared team in the tournament, the Speaker National Assembly has involved the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for cricketing training of the parliamentarians. He has appointed Makhdoom Zain Hussain Qureshi, MNA as Convener of the Parliamentary Cricket Team of Pakistan. According to Media Directorate of the National Assembly, Qureshi already carries sizeable cricketing experience both at University and District levels.
Meanwhile the Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ehsan Mani has nominated the former test cricketer Mudassar Nazar, Director (Academy) in the PCB as the focal point for preparing the Parliamentary Cricket Team.
The 47 young members of the National Assembly are likely to join their Initial Assessment and Training Camp which has already started in the Shalimar Cricket Ground, Islamabad for one week. Thereafter, the parliamentarians will play friendly matches among them till the end of April 2019 so that a befitting team could be selected to take part in the exciting and first–of–its–kind tournament. The PCB has finalized the schedule of the parliamentarians’ initial assessment and training camp under the supervision of its coaches.
National Assembly passes only six bills since its formation: Meanwhile the National Assembly of Pakistan could so far pass only six bills in its eight sessions since its formation after the general election which was held in July last year.
So far it has passed, the Finance Supplementary (Amendment) Act 2018, the West Pakistan Juvenile Smoking (Repeal) Bill 2018, the West Pakistan Prohibition of Smoking in Cinema Houses (Repeal) Bill 2019, the IHC (Amendment) Act 2019, the Election (Amendment) Act 2019 and the Finance Supplementary (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019.
None out of eight sittings start on time during 8th session: Moreover, according to FAFEN not a single sitting out of eight of the last session of the National Assembly could start on time.
According to it the National Assembly did not address 38 percent of the agenda during eighth session that continued between February 20 and March 6, 2019.
According to FAFEN the National Assembly did not observe punctuality during the session as none of the sittings were started on time. The maximum delay of three hours and 26 minutes was witnessed during seventh sitting while two hours and 32 minutes during the first sitting. The minimum delay of 18 minutes was witnessed during third and sixth sittings. The seventh sitting was the shortest one that continued for just seven minutes, whereas the fifth sitting was the longest that continued for four hours and 55 minutes
The House spent seven hours and 55 minutes (62 percent) on various Points of Order (POs) while debating the Indian violation of Pakistani airspace, arrest of the Sindh Assembly Speaker and political and other issues. The proceedings remained suspended for three hours and 36 minutes (22 percent) due to the protests, prayers breaks and lack of quorum.
The eight-sitting session agenda comprised three government bills, two Calling Attention Notices (CANs), Motion under Rule 259, Motion of Thanks, debate on Senate recommendations on Finance (second amendment) Bill, report on a legislative proposal and four statutory reports.
The House passed two bills including the Finance Supplementary (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019 while one bill was referred to the relevant committee.
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