May 18, 2006	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 19, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, May 17: Opposition senators on Wednesday lodged their strong protest for the second consecutive day in the Senate over the continued absence of ministers from the house’s proceedings, forcing the chairman to give an observation that he could consider opposition’s proposal of suspending some ministers.

Speaking on a point of order, former opposition leader Raza Rabbani of the People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPP) drew the attention of Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro towards the fact that again there were only few ministers present in the house during the question hour, like it was the case on Tuesday.

Mr Rabbani said there were questions related to the ministries of religious affairs, petroleum and natural resources and the minister in-charge of the prime minister secretariat but none of them was present to give replies to the supplementary questions of the members. He said even state ministers were not present in the house.

It may be recalled here that Mr Rabbani had also raised the issue of ministers’ absence from the upper house session on Tuesday when ministers for privatization, commerce and finance were not present in the house during the question hour and only six to eight ministers remained present in the house.

Mr Rabbani asked the chairman to use his powers and suspend at least one minister as punishment and warning to others for not giving importance to the parliament’s proceedings.

“What you are saying will be considered,” observed Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro in response to the severe opposition criticism over the issue. The chairman then deferred the questions related to the absent ministers and started the question hour.