ISLAMABAD, April 13: Leader of the house in the Senate Wasim Sajjad on Tuesday asked Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro to seek Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali's intervention over the absence of ministers during the question hour.

"No other business have precedence over the business of the house," said Mr Sajjad and suggested the chairman to communicate to the prime minister through a strong letter informing him about the state of affairs because of the unavailability of the ministers.

The chairman had to defer the questions relating to the cabinet division due to the absence of the minister concerned on which the senators agitated by criticizing that the practice of deferring questions had become order of the day due to ministers' absence.

"This is not acceptable," the chairman observed and explained that questions relating to a particular ministry were taken on rota day and the ministers about whom questions related were informed in time about the day his questions would be taken up. "How the house will run when no one is available to answer," Mr Soomro said.

At this, Mr Sajjad conceded that the absence was regrettable but suggested that a strong message should go to the prime minister to ensure the attendance of his cabinet colleagues.

PPP parliamentary leader also supported Mr Sajjad and suggested that the chairman should issue stern strictures which should serve as a warning against the ministers so that they could ensure their presence in the house.

PML-Q Senator Chaudhry Anwar Bhindar said it was the duty of the government to satisfy the members by replying to their questions. He also supported Mr Sajjad's suggestion to inform the prime minister about the absence of the ministers.