LAHORE:
Opposition lawmakers in the Punjab Assembly have called for strict enforcement of rules that mandate timely and accurate responses from government departments to legislative queries.
They demanded penalties for departments that provide incorrect information or delay responses beyond the stipulated timeframe.
The issue of delayed and inaccurate responses has been a persistent concern for both treasury and opposition members in previous sessions.
Leader of the Opposition Ahmad Khan Bhachar strongly criticised the inefficiency, stating, “What can we expect from other districts when even the queries related to Lahore take a year to be answered?”
In protest, he refused to ask any questions during the session.
Opposition legislator Rana Aftab echoed these concerns, emphasising that incorrect information from departments would continue unless strict measures were enforced. “If responses take a year to arrive, it is nothing but a waste of time,” he added.
Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channer reminded the house that government departments are legally bound to respond to assembly queries within eight days. However, opposition members remained dissatisfied, particularly with the responses from the parliamentary secretary of Housing, Urban Development & Public Health Engineering.
Expressing further frustration, Bhachar criticised the government for failing to address economic hardships, claiming that inflation was at record highs, public institutions were in disarray, and citizens were struggling to survive.
“Instead of launching effective policies to help the people, the government is relying on TikTok activities and advertisements,” he remarked.
On the treasury benches, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah suggested imposing a tax on corruption, arguing that such a system could help track illicit wealth.
Meanwhile, another treasury lawmaker, Ahsan Raza, defended the administration.
