Sindh Assembly on Monday amend its rule on holding online sessions amid the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
The first such session was held on Monday. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah attended via video conference from his office. The change was made to the assembly’s rules to allow members to use the facility during times of emergency. Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani has approved the change.
The availability of this facility is all the more important because the Sindh budget is going to be presented on June 17. During the federal budget session very little discussion could be had because members were not allowed in the hall due to social distancing and many have contracted the virus.
With the introduction of this facility, Sindh becomes the first province to use technology to hold sessions. The move will allow for debate on the budget. The provincial assembly is set to hold its first online Budget 2020-21 session on Wednesday.
The virus infected lawmakers would be able to attend the Budget session for the fiscal year 2020-21 online. Only 50% of the assembly members are allowed to attend any given session during the pandemic. Members of 50 or with pre-existing medical conditions have been asked to stay home.
So far, 25 members of the assembly have contracted the virus and one member has passed away. Moreover, the MPAs would be able to participate in the PA proceedings while sitting at their homes, while Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durani can call online sessions at any time he wants.
Earlier in the day, Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab said the province will amend its rules on holding online assembly sessions “in case of emergency”. “Sindh Assembly would be amending its rules today to add a provision allowing for the speaker to hold virtual sessions of the Assembly in case of emergency or when it is impracticable.” Wahab said in a post on Twitter.
“Sindh Assembly would be amending its Rules today to add a provision allowing for the Speaker to hold online sessions of the Assembly in case of emergency or when it is impracticable. Thus Sindh will become the 1st Assembly in Pakistan to use technology for its sessions,” Murtaza Wahab tweeted. He further said that Sindh will become the first assembly in Pakistan to make use of technology for its sessions.
