Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Friday adjourned due to lack of quorum issue and could not take up any agenda item appearing on the list of business of the House. Reacting over adjournment of House, leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Shah wondered how a government which was incapable of taking along its legislators with it could unite the entire nation.

Talking to media here outside the Parliament House, Khurshid said the incapability of the government to complete the quorum in the National Assembly was a big failure of the government. The government’s failure to bring its angry legislators to parliament was a point worth pondering, he added. “We had realised the resentment of the treasury members when Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was wrapping up the budget debate and since then meeting the quorum remained a permanent problem for the government which has shown no seriousness to meet the quorum, he said. This non-serious attitude of the government was creating a serious scenario, he added.

A PTI female lawmaker Musrat Alam Zaib pointed out the quorum during question hour that 56 lawmakers were present in the House, forcing the proceedings to remain suspended for 36 minutes. However, the House resumed its proceedings after some time when the quorum was once again pointed out and found incomplete leading to the adjournment of the House.

Earlier, during question hours, the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said there was no plan to introduce Ethanol-10 gasoline in the country. In past Pakistan State Oil (PSO) in pursuant to Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) marketed the product at 57 retail outlets in Sindh province from 2010-2012. He said the PSO discontinued marketing of E-10 gasoline due to non-availability of the fuel grade ethanol.

Regarding the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project, the minister said bankable feasibility study, Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), Route Reconnaissance and detail route surveys, social environmental impact assessment and work on installation of concrete markers on right of way has been completed.

He said the land acquisition process under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and Pre-award activities for procurement of long lead items had been started as well. He said for implementation of the project in the extended period, amendment in Gas Sales Purchase Agreement (GSPA) was required and Pakistan had requested Iran for the same.

The minister said a draft amendment had also been shared with the government of Iran who had agreed to negotiate the same along with some other amendments in GSPA. However, he added response from Iran on the same was awaited.

The House offers prayers on the demise of renowned cricketer Hanif Mohammad.