ISLAMABAD: Both houses of parliament are set to begin their new sittings on Monday evening with important agenda items on their orders of the day.

However, if practice in vogue is any guide to go by, the National Assembly hardly follows its agenda and quite often its sittings are consumed by the ongoing political developments. However, in contrast, the upper house of parliament, on Raza Rabbani’s watch, has of late never missed its business of the day.

Due to the latest spike in Pakistan-India tension on the issue of Kashmir and the PTI’s planned anti-government Raiwind march, it is expected that the trend in the National Assembly will continue.

If the house sticks to its agenda, the much talked about and needed bill for solemnisation of the marriages of Hindus will be presented by Human Rights Minister Kamran Michael.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar will move a bill against Benami (anonymous) transactions of property. Then there are couple of bills to amend the Islamabad High Court Act, 2010, and Civil Courts Ordi­nance, 1962, which will be moved by Law Minister Zahid Hamid.

MNA Dr Arif Alvi of the PTI alleged that the PML-N was known for its disliking towards parliament which one could notice from its “irresponsible parliamentary behaviour”. The government always eschewed the real agenda of the house and there was a chronic issue of quorum as well since the PML-N had taken over the helm of affairs and this was only hurting democracy, he said.

Although sponsored by the opposition parties, the Senate has a heavy legislative business due to be followed on Monday evening. PPP Senator Saleem Mandviwala, as chairman of the standing committee on economic affairs, will present a motion for the adoption of recommendations on the money bill to further amend tax laws.

PTI Senator Azam Swati is set to introduce bills to amend the Political Parties Order, 2002, Pakistan Penal Code, 1860, and for prohibition of Sheesha smoking in Islamabad and against child labour.

However, the most important bill which will be moved in the house by the combined opposition is for the constitution of a commission to investigate the revelations contained in the Panama Papers about offshore companies.

However, the fact remains that until the government is interested in converting a bill into an act of parliament, all good work done by the opposition senators will go to waste.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2016