Parliamentary leaders of different political parties in the National Assembly have endorsed the option of holding physical session of the National Assembly instead of virtual one.

The backing was given in meeting of the Committee on the Virtual Session of the National Assembly during COVID-19 through video link at Parliament House in Islamabad today.

Minister for National Food Security and Research, Syed Fakhar Imam chaired the meeting.

The Parliamentary leaders were of the view that parliament embodies the will of the people; therefore, it should be made functional to continue its role of parliamentary oversight on Executive.

They extended their all-out support to the Speaker National Assembly in conduct of the session of the Assembly in presence of the pandemic.  

Taking part in the meeting, PPPP Parliamentary Leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that there is no provision in rules of the Assembly for a virtual session; therefore, actual session should be called to take up pertinent issues concerning public at large besides important legislation.

He suggested to ensure health SoPs in wake of the pandemic for safety of the Parliamentarians and Parliamentary support staff.

PML N leaders Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also supported the idea of a physical session.

Federal Ministers Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Dr. Fehmida Mirza expressing their point of view said that actual session of the Assembly may be convened with adoption of health guidelines so that the safety of the Members and the staff was not compromised.

The Chairman of the Committee decided to convene its final meeting on next Wednesday to finalize its recommendations which would be presented to the Speaker National Assembly for his consideration.

Kiani/Karrar