Opposition lawmaker Saiful Alam Khan Milon yesterday questioned the absence of ministers during the ongoing budget session.

Taking part in the general discussion on the budget, the Jamaat MP from Dhaka-12 said he had noticed that most ministers were not present during the session.

He said that while MPs from both the treasury and opposition benches had been preparing notes and delivering speeches, many ministers remained absent for much of the budget discussion.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad responded by saying that he, too, wanted to see greater ministerial presence during the budget session, although at least the finance minister was in attendance.

He said he would request other ministers to be present, adding that their participation would reflect the importance of the proceedings.