Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad has urged members of parliament to follow the Rules of Procedure when speaking, reminding them that parliament is not a place for arbitrary speech.
The Speaker made the remarks on Tuesday at the start of the eighth day of the second and first budget session of the 13th National Parliament, after two MPs raised points of order.
“Parliament functions based on the Rules of Procedure and the Constitution. All 350 members are equally capable, and everyone has the right to speak. However, parliament operates within specific laws and regulations,” the Speaker said.
Regarding points of order, the Speaker said the specific time to raise them is immediately after the question hour ends.
“During the budget session, points of order are generally not allowed because it is an important session where members need to speak for extended periods. Standing up and speaking whenever one wishes does not work in parliament,” he said.
Responding to a point raised by Rajshahi-1 MP Md Mujibur Rahman, who objected to the Speaker bowing his head in respect, the Speaker explained that this was not against parliamentary etiquette.
Regarding Rangpur-6 MP Md Nurul Amin’s point about unpaid teachers and municipal employees, the Speaker said, “I appreciate your sentiment. You spoke about the suffering of teachers and municipal employees who have not received their salaries. But everything has a specific time.”
“Parliament cannot be run spontaneously. To discuss any matter, prior notice must be given,” the Speaker said, adding that if notice had been given according to the rules, the matter could have been discussed with the concerned minister.
He respectfully requested members to follow the Rules of Procedure when standing to speak in future and reminded them that points of order should only be based on the matter at hand. “It is everyone’s responsibility to uphold parliamentary etiquette,” he concluded.
