The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly Speaker, Babar Saleem Swati, took a firm stance on Tuesday by ordering the monitoring of attendance for all bureaucrats assigned to the assembly. This decision came in response to the continued absence of relevant officials from assembly proceedings, which the speaker deemed unacceptable.
Speaker Warns of Budget Delays
During the assembly's budget session, Speaker Swati warned that departments whose secretaries are frequently absent from assembly sessions could face delays in the approval of their budgets. This warning underscores the importance the speaker places on bureaucratic participation in legislative processes.
Maintaining Order in the House
The speaker intervened after noticing several lawmakers engaged in side conversations while a member was addressing the House. Urging members to maintain order, he said, "Please remain quiet so that the member can be heard. When a lawmaker raises issues concerning the public, it is the responsibility of the House to pay attention." He emphasized that every lawmaker has the right to speak and be heard.
Concern Over Bureaucracy's Absence
Swati also voiced concern over what he described as the bureaucracy's poor attendance and apparent lack of interest in assembly proceedings. He noted that departmental officers and secretaries are summoned to the House to respond to lawmakers' queries, but relevant officials are frequently absent from the sessions. The speaker's directive aims to ensure that bureaucrats fulfill their duty to attend and engage with the assembly.
