ISLAMABAD: Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Thursday faced the wrath of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq over the non-receipt of answers and absence of concerned ministers from the house during the Question Hour.

Expressing his annoyance, the speaker warned the parliamentary affairs minister and other ministers of possible privilege motions over the absence of concerned ministers and delays in submitting replies to questions.

The speaker also took Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar to task when the latter tried to pacify the angry speaker. Terming the situation “unfortunate”, the law minister tendered an “apology” and assured that they would ensure the availability of the concerned ministers.

Mr Sadiq asked the parliamentary affairs minister why the IPC ministry had failed to respond to a question raised during the 26th session, while the house was now in its 29th session.

“I need an answer,” the speaker told Mr Chaudhry, reminding him that it was his responsibility to ensure that ministries submitted replies to questions.

The minister said IPC Minister Rana Sanaullah, who currently holds the portfolio, had neither informed him about his absence nor provided the replies.

It all started when MNA Chaudhry Ilyas pointed out to the speaker that he had submitted a question some five months back related to the IPC ministry, but no reply had yet been submitted.

“If you are not taking this business seriously, then we are not taking Question Hour. This is not appropriate,” remarked the speaker, before suspending the session for 15 minutes.

The speaker directed the parliamentary affairs minister to immediately summon the secretary, additional secretary, joint secretary and the concerned section officer of the IPC ministry and instruct them to remain present in the House until the conclusion of the proceedings.

The speaker made it clear that it was the responsibility of the concerned ministries to provide timely and comprehensive answers to questions raised by Members of Parliament during Question Hour, and that any negligence in this regard would not be tolerated.

The session resumed after 15 minutes and by that time a sufficient number of cabinet members had turned up in the house before arrival of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the passage of two important bills.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2026