ISLAMABAD, April 02, 2018: The Balochistan Assembly was prorogued on Monday after transacting its scheduled business including three private members’ resolutions and two government bills, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during the eighth (last) sitting of the Assembly’s 50th session:
Members’ Participation
- The Balochistan Assembly met for an hour and 50 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1650 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours.
- The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
- The Chief Minister attended the entire sitting.
- The Leader of the Opposition was not present.
- As many as 16 lawmakers (25%) were present at the outset and the adjournment of sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of NP and PML were present during the proceedings.
- As many as two minority lawmakers attended the sitting.
- As many as eight lawmakers applied for leave.
Output
- The Chief Minister introduced the Balochistan Public Private Partnership Bill, 2018 before the House. The Chair referred the bill to the relevant standing committee to comply with the requirement of the Rule 84 of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, 1974.
- Moved by the Minister for Health, the House adopted a motion withdrawing the Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology Bill, 2018 from the relevant committee.
- The House unanimously adopted a resolution offering its condolence on the demise of Principal Tameer-e-Nau College Quetta Fazal Haq. As many as nine lawmakers debated the resolution for 29 minutes.
- Moved by a PkMAP lawmaker, the House unanimously adopted a resolution recommending the federal government through the provincial government that Pakistan Cricket Board should bound all Pakistan Super League Teams to accommodate 30% to 40% players of the city which it is named after. As many as three lawmakers debated the resolution for eight minutes.
- Moved by a JUI-F lawmaker, the House adopted another resolution recommending the federal government through the provincial government that Pakistan Television should launch a children-specific channel. As many as two lawmakers debated the resolution for four minutes.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House deferred three Starred Question due to absence of the concerned minister and one question due to absence of the mover.
- A PkMAP lawmaker withdrew an Adjournment Motion seeking debate on law and order in the province following an assurance by the government to improve the situation.
Order and Institutionalization
- The lawmakers raised seven Points of Order consuming 22 minutes of the proceedings.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was not available on the website of the Assembly.
- Attendance of Members was not made public.
This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Balochistan Assembly proceedings conducted by Center for Peace and Development (CPD) – a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are excepted.