NAVEED BUTT

ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary leaders of different political parties have proposed for summoning a joint sitting of the Parliament on September 13 for the presidential address and the National Assembly session on September 14, 2018.

A meeting of leaders of parliamentary parties and their representatives was held on Monday, which was presided over by Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser. The meeting discussed the formation of standing committees of the Lower House of the Parliament and schedules of joint-sitting of the Parliament and session of the National Assembly.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Defense Pervez Khattak, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Deputy Speaker National Assembly Muhammad Qasim Khan Suri, Malik Amir Dogar, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Rana Tanvir Hussein, Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, Syed Naveed Qamar and Maulana Assad Mahmood, besides the secretary of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.

The meeting disused in detail the formation of National Assembly standing committees and schedules to summon joint-session of Parliament and the National Assembly session.

Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser said that democratic institutions have been strengthened due to the continuity of democracy in the country. He said that the people have pinned high hopes on the Parliament.

He said, “We have to work together to run the democratic system for the development of the country and to facilitate the people.” He said that his first priority is to establish standing committees with the consultations of political parties of the House.

The speaker requested the opposition parties to submit names as soon as possible for the members of House Business Advisory Committee.

The meeting was suggested that a joint session of the Parliament will be called on September 13, 2018, which will be addressed by President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi.