ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly again faced the quorum syndrome on Friday as its session could not continue even for half an hour.

During the brief sitting, the issue of non-provision of additional development funds to the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) came under spotlight.

The latest increase in electricity tariff also came under discussion and the opposition lashed out at the government for what it called dropping an “electricity bomb” on the people. The opposition said that the federal cabinet on Friday approved Rs1.68 per unit increase in power tariff.

On a point of order, the house was apprised that the government had not released three per cent development funds under National Finance Commission (NFC) Award to the tribal districts.

Sitting continued only for half an hour

Parliamentary Secretary on Finance Zain Qureshi said giving any fund from the NFC Award was a sole prerogative of the commission and not the government.

He told the house that the government would give Rs129 billion development fund to the tribal areas in the current fiscal year against last year’s Rs121 billion. “The current year’s funds are four per cent higher than the last year’s funds,” he added.

Mr Qureshi said that under the 10th NFC Award, all provinces should contribute funds from their shares for erstwhile Fata.

The opposition also condemned the government for an increase of Rs1.68 per unit in electricity tariff and demanded withdrawal of the decision.

Later, an opposition member, Syed Hussain Tariq, pointed out the quorum and due to inadequate presence of members, the session was adjourned till Monday 4pm.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2021