Zero Hour to be introduced in Senate
By Asim Hussain

ISLAMABAD—The Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges has recommended for introduction of a Zero Hour in the Senate to give an opportunity to the members of the Upper House to raise and discuss matters of extreme public concern.
The Committee suggested that deliberations should be held to develop consensus among the Members of the Committee. The Committee made this recommendation at a meeting which was held in the Parliament House here on Wednesday under chairmanship of Senator Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi to consider the proposed amendments in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 1988.
The Committee deliberated in detail on various amendments proposed in the Rules of Procedure of the Senate and unanimously approved some amendments for incorporation in the existing rules.
The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, lauded the contribution made by all the Members of the Committee, as well as the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs in putting forward various proposals aimed at smooth functioning of the Senate.
He said that as the rules had been framed long ago, it had become necessary and expedient that these be reviewed, revised and updated to remove impediments in the legislation process and ensure smooth working of the Senate.
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Sher Afgan Khan Niazi agreed with the Chairman of the Committee that the Rules of Procedure should be periodically reviewed and revised with a view to bring them at par with the present day requirements.
The Committee also offered Fateha for the departed soul of the sister-in-law of Senator Prof. Khurshid Ahmed.
The meeting was attended, besides the Leader of the House in the Senate Mr. Wasim Sajjad by Senators Naeem Hussain Chattha, Dr Muhammad Ismail Buledi, Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, Khurshid Ahmed, Asfandyar Wali, Saadia Abbasi, Raza Muhammad Raza and S.M. Zafar.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sherafgan Khan Niazi and Kamil Ali Agha, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and senior Officers of the Ministries of Parliamentary Affairs and Law and Justice were also present.