ISLAMABAD – Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaisar has said that in wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic, National Assembly Secretariat had evolved a Contingency Plan for the upcoming budget session and in case the disease doesn’t die down, the plan would be given final touches in consultation with the political leadership to get through with budget session.
In an exclusive interview with Pakistan Today, Asad Qaisar shrugged away the impression that the parliamentary business had been suspended due to the disease and said that the parliament’s special committee on Covid-19 was in session and it was working to monitor the government’s action to contain the epidemic and providing relief to the masses.
“The situation is under control and we hope to commence the national assembly session well before June. I have been briefed that the epidemic is under control and hopefully we’ll get over it,” said the Speaker.
Asked how much the disease would affect the parliamentary business this year, the Speaker said that Parliament’s business has been partially suspended.
“Instead, we are holding regular meetings. We hope to overcome the epidemic,” he said, adding, “We have already done with the National Assembly business of 72 days out of the total 130 days. So we have around 58 days left and we would make it”.
The speaker said that he had also formed a parliamentary committee consisting of leaders of major political parties and this committee is monitoring the government’s response to counter the epidemic situation.
“The government presents progress report to the committee which comes up with innovative ideas on how to take more significant steps to overcome the current situation. I hope Allah will help us to overcome the current situation,” he added.
He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan also had directed him to help facilitate the return of Zaireen, Tableeghi Jamaat, inmates and Overseas Pakistanis stranded abroad.
“I have formed another committee which includes key ministers and parliamentarians to help facilitate immediate return of Pakistanis went on religious pilgrimage. We have formed a subcommittee led by Minister for SAFRON Shehryar Afridi which is doing a wonderful job and all religious parties are on board to facilitate those stuck abroad or in across Pakistan during religious pilgrimage,” he said.
He said that Federal Secretaries from concerned ministries are also a part of this committee to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Asked about his experience as Speaker National Assembly, Asad Qaisar said that this is the toughest assembly so far to handle as the opposition and the treasury have very strong presence in the House.
He said that the Assembly has done a good legislation during the ongoing parliamentary year.
“It’s good to see the opposition has been supporting the government on key legislation which is a good omen”.
Asked to comment on the claims that Speaker National Assembly was striking a fine balance between the opposition and treasury benches, The Speaker said that as custodian of the House, he was trying to run the Assembly judiciously.
“Being a custodian of the House, the treasury and the opposition members are equal for me. I am running the Assembly affairs in line with the rules and procedures and it’s our responsibility to help frame new laws and rules which benefit the people. We have an understating we can’t politicise the legislation”.
Asked how many Acts had been passed by the parliament, Asad Qaisar said that around 45 new Acts have been passed by the House while over 100 bills have already been sent to the standing committees.
“I am trying that the Assembly not only makes new laws but we do quality legislation so as new laws cater to people’s well being and welfare,” he added.
Asked what measures were taken to provide security to the parliamentarians during Coronavirus Pandemic, Asad Qaisar said that elabourate measures were taken to provide secure environment to the parliamentarians visiting the Parliament House.
He urged the US and EU to lift sanctions on Iran on humanitarian grounds as the pandemic had hit Iran hard. Asked about reaching out to the parliamentarians of the world who have contracted Coronavirus and now are hospitalized, Asad Qaisar said that he had written letters to ailing Iranian Speaker Ali Larijani besides his counterparts from EU countries to express solidarity with all the leaders who have been hospitalized due to the epidemic. He also showed concern for ailing Prime Minister of United Kingdom Boris Johnson and wished him well.
