Firdous Naqvi files plea for summoning Sindh Assembly session to debate next budget
Under the rules, a session of the provincial assembly was to be held between Jan and Mar.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly Firdous Shamim Naqvi on Monday, for implementation of the Rule No 143 of the Sindh Assembly, filed a petition in the Sindh High Court (SHC) calling for a session of the Sindh Assembly to discuss the next budget, Dunya News reported.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader has nominated the Sindh government’s provincial ministers for finance and law, and parliamentary affairs as respondent in his petition.
Under the Sindh Assembly’s rules of procedure, a session of the provincial assembly was to be held between the months of January and March, and the debate was required by the provincial lawmakers on the proposals for five days over the next budget year 2019-20, the petitioner contended.
He told the media that the petition has been filed for summoning of pre-budget session of the assembly, while no one has heard his voice in the assembly.
“Under confusion, the speaker and the chief minister have forgotten rules of procedure,” he added.
He left media talk when he was interrupted by a question regarding a hike in petroleum prices.
The Rule No 143 of the Sindh Assembly Rules of Procedures says, “notwithstanding anything contained in these rules, the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, in consultation with the Finance Minister, shall include, in the list of business, the general discussion seeking proposals of the Members for the next budget in a session of the Assembly which is to be held during the months of January to March each year.”
“The general discussion on budget proposals shall take place for at least five days during the session. The Assembly may recommend the proposals to the Government for the next budget on a resolution moved by the Finance Minister after the conclusion of the discussion.”
