ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Friday session was over in five minutes.

Soon after recitation of the Holy Quran, Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi, who was presiding over the session, ordered beginning of question hour but Sheerin Arshad Khan of PML-N pointed out lack of quorum.

After receiving a report about the number of MNAs present in the house, which was short of 86 required for quorum, Mr Kundi -- instead of ordering ringing of bells asking the members to come to the house -- prorogued the session till Jan 21.

This again demonstrated MNAs’ lack of interest in the business of the house, which was quite heavy as per order of the day.

There were two call-attention notices on the agenda. The first was moved by Shaikh Salahuddin of MQM to draw attention of the interior minister to “supply of illegal explosives to Karachi and their recovery in huge quantity, causing grave concern among the people.”

The second notice was submitted by Dr Talat Mahesar of PPP and a few other members drawing the attention of the minister in charge of cabinet secretariat to the failure of the authorities to give possession of plots to allottees in Park-Enclave of Islamabad.

More important was presentation of reports by standing committees on two bills.

Jamshed Ahmad Dasti, chairman of the committee on capital administration and development, had come to the house with a report on a bill to provide degree awarding status to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad.

Dr Azra Afzal Pechuho, chairperson of the committee on defence, was to present a report on the establishment of Defence Housing Authority, Islamabad (the Defence Housing Authority Islamabad Bill, 2013).

The reports will now be presented in the house in the next session.