‘PM’s Question Hour’ set to be introduced in NA for the first time

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to amend National Assembly rules to introduce a session of prime minister’s question hour during the proceedings.

The lower house of the parliament will take up the amendment bill today in this regard.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Khan will move an amendment to Rule 69 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business 2007 in the assembly, which suggests insertion of a sub-rule introducing “Prime Minister’s Question Hour”.

Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan had vowed to present himself before the parliamentarians to answer their questions fortnightly, on the pattern of the British parliament.

According to the proposed amendment in the rules, PM Imran will be bound to reply to questions on first Wednesday of each session and subject to his availability

“Notwithstanding anything contained in this Chapter, subject to availability of the prime minister, there shall be ‘Prime Minister’s Question Hour’ on the first Wednesday once in each session for answering questions on the matters relating to the overall substantive policy or the performance of government,” reads the new sub-rule (2) to be inserted in Rule 69 of the assembly rules.

Though the prime minister has a privilege of getting the floor of the National Assembly any time he wants to speak on any matter, Imran Khan wants to see the rules amended with a view to make it mandatory for future prime ministers as well to respond to the questions of MNAs.

On Aug 6, Khan publicly said he would not govern the country the way it had been running previously.

Khan had said his party would be a target of the wrath of the people if it did traditional politics. He then announced to give answers to the public one hour every week.