ISLAMABAD, October 27, 2014: Starting 79 minutes behind the schedule, the Sindh Assembly adopted a resolution seeking measures to tackle threat of Ebola virus while 13 bills were also introduced during the 4th sitting of 15th session on Monday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
Tabled by a PPPP lawmaker, the House unanimously adopted a resolution urging the provincial government to take precautionary measures to mitigate threat of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) including setting up of isolation wards to quarantine Ebola patients and screening desks at major airports and railway stations along with organizing awareness sessions about the epidemic.
The Chief Minister and the Minister for Food informed the House about the government’s efforts to overcome drought in Thar.
The House witnessed rumpus for 12 minutes following an exchange of harsh words between the members of treasury and opposition benches over alleged irregularities in appointments and extra-judicial killings.
The House took up three calling attention notices (CANs) regarding development funds allocated and released for all districts since January 1, 2010, unhygienic atmosphere in Hyderabad and poor sanitation facilities in the province particularly Mirpurkhas.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings
- The Sindh Assembly met for two hours and 58 minutes.
- The sitting witnessed a delay of an hour and 19 minutes as it began at 1119 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours.
- The Speaker chaired the sitting for two hours and 11 minutes while the remaining time was presided over by the Deputy Speaker.
- The Chief Minister was present for 92 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition attended the entire sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of MQM, PPPP and PML-F attended the sitting.
- Eighteen members (11%) were present at the start and 52 (31%) at the end of the sitting while a maximum of 76 members (46%) were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.
- Four minority members attended the sitting.
- Four members applied for leave.
Output
- Minister for Parliamentary Affairs introduced 13 bills including the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (Sindh Administration) Bill 2014, the Sindh Epidemic Diseases Bill 2014, the Sindh Eye Surgery (Restriction) Bill 2014, the Sindh Tuberculosis Notification Bill 2014, the Sindh Allopathic System (Prevention of misuse) Bill 2014, the Sindh Arms (Amendment) Bill 2014, the Sindh Mass Transit Authority Bill 2014, the Sindh Physiotherapy Council Bill 2014, the Sindh Senior Citizens Welfare Bill 2014, the Sindh Pharmacy Council Bill 2014, the Sindh Medical and Dental Council Bill 2014, the Sindh Nursing Council Bill 2014 and the Sindh Condominium Bill 2014.
- Tabled by a PPPP lawmaker, the House unanimously adopted a resolution urging the provincial government to take precautionary measures to mitigate threat of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) including setting up of isolation wards to quarantine Ebola patients and screening desks at major airports and railway stations along with organizing awareness sessions about the epidemic.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House took up three calling attention notices (CANs) regarding development funds allocated and released for all districts since January 1, 2010, unhygienic atmosphere in Hyderabad and poor sanitation facilities in the province particularly Mirpurkhas.
- Four starred questions (requiring oral as well) appearing on the agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministers while 28 supplementary questions were also asked.
- The House took an adjournment motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition to discuss the worsening law and order situation in the province especially Khairpur and Karachi.
- A MQM member submitted a privilege motion regarding non-cooperation of the Karachi Administrator which was sent to the relevant committee.
Order and Institutionalization
- Eight points of order consumed 12 minutes of the proceedings’ time.
- The House witnessed rumpus for 12 minutes following an exchange of harsh words between the members of treasury and opposition benches over alleged irregularities in appointments in Karachi Water and Sewerage Board and extra-judicial killings in the province.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
- Information on members’ attendance was available to observers and the public.
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The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Sindh Assembly proceedings conducted by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), a member organization of FAFEN.