ISLAMABAD, June 16: The National Assembly is set to debate next week whether to allow its members to use laptop on their desks inside the chamber in a move that is likely to generate a considerable heat across party lines. There were more arguments for and fewer against bringing this modern tool of information inside the house after Minister of State for Privatisation and Investment Umar Ahmed Ghumman raised the issue on Friday through a point of order during the lower house debate on the charged expenditure included the federal budget for fiscal 2006-07.
Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain said there was weight in arguments from both sides but would defer the matter until the passage of the budget — likely on June 22 — after which a debate for up to one and a half hour would be allowed.
He asked the supporters and opponents of the move to come prepared for the first ever discussion of the type in the house whose present rules of procedure and conduct of business do not allow the use of tape-recorders and mobile telephones inside the house but have no mention of laptops.
The discussion is likely to create the possibility of similar use of modern technology in the press gallery by journalists reporting parliamentary proceedings.
Minister of State for Law, Justice and Human Rights Shahid Akram Bhinder said there was bar under the rules on the use of laptops in the house after Mr Ghumman, who carried one with him, raised the matter and asked for a ruling from the Speaker.
But Liaqat Baloch of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal opposed the move, saying laptops could distract attention from house proceedings and that he knew of no parliament allowing their chambers to be disturbed by computers.
The strongest support for the move came from National Reconstruction Bureau chairman Danial Aziz Chaudhry who told the house that the European Parliament allowed laptops, which he said would facilitate members take notes and improve their efficiency.
“Those who are inefficient may not bring laptops and those who are efficient should be allowed to bring them,” he said.
Minister of Stare for Finance Omar Ayub Khan said the laptop has become a necessary tool and it would be better to allow its use inside the house.
PPP chief whip called for deferring the discussion till after the passage of the budget although he did not take sides at the time, and the chair agreed with this.
