ISLAMABAD, Jan 21: The government has decided to constitute 37 standing committees of the National Assembly besides a special committee on Kashmir.

Sources said the National Assembly secretariat had sent letters to all MNAs asking them to send their names and five choices in order of preference by Jan 31.

Under rules 179 and 181 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 1992, the National Assembly has to elect members to its standing committees.

The committees would be for cabinet; commerce; communications; defence; economic affairs and statistics; education; environment; finance and revenue; food and agriculture; foreign affairs; health; housing and works; industries and production; information and media development; information technology; interior; Kashmir affairs and Northern Areas; labour and manpower; law and justice; local government and rural development; minorities; culture, sports and tourism; narcotics control; parliamentary affairs; petroleum and natural resources; planning and development; population welfare; privatization; railways; religious affairs; scientific and technological research; water and power; women development; government assurances; rules of procedure and privileges; and public accounts divisions besides house and library, finance and special committee on Kashmir.