Parliament's scheduled Question Hour was cut short on Wednesday after Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal announced that the ministers designated to answer members' questions were absent from the House.

While presiding over the sitting after Asr prayers, the deputy speaker said the Question Hour could not continue as the ministers concerned were not present to respond to queries.

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"As this is the question-answer session, members are supposed to ask questions to the ministers. Unfortunately, none of the ministers for whom the questions were listed is present in the House. Therefore, we are concluding the Question Hour and moving on to the next item of business," he told the House.

The announcement prompted an immediate intervention from Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, who pointed out that he was present in the House and that questions relating to his ministry were included in the day's agenda.

Addressing the Chair, the minister said the deputy speaker stated that the Question Hour will be treated as laid on the table because ministers were absent, but stressed that he was in attendance.

"I am here, and the Question Hour concerning my ministry is also there. I am present in Parliament," he said.

Responding to the minister, the deputy speaker clarified that the matter did not apply to him, saying the relevant rule governing the proceedings was different in his case.

"Honourable minister, in your case, Rule 71 applies; it is not part of the Question Hour. You are present, and thank you very much," Kayser Kamal said.

The House then proceeded to the next item on its agenda.