QUETTA: For the first time in the parliamentary history of Balochistan, the budget session of the provincial assembly was adjourned on Friday without a debate due to a lack of quorum as a majority of lawmakers from the opposition and treasury benches did not attend the session.

It was the second day of debate on the provincial budget, presented by Finance Minister Zamarak Khan Piralizai on Monday.

The budget session was presided over by Deputy Speaker Sardar Babar Khan Musakhail. Only seven lawmakers were present in the 65-member house when the chair asked to start the debate on the budget.

The proceeding was stopped when opposition member Molvi Noorullah Musakhail stood up and pointed out the lack of quorum.

The deputy speaker said that usually members do not point out lack of quorum during the budget session.

However, JUI-F MPA Molvi Noorullah said that he had pointed out lack the quorum.

The finance minister wanted debate on the budget and suggested that after an interval the session should be convened again in the evening for initiating the debate.

The deputy speaker asked the assembly staff to ring the bells. Despite ringing the bells for five munities, no lawmaker turned up in the house, on which the deputy speaker adjourned the session till 2pm on Saturday (today).

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2023