ISLAMABAD, June 21, 2015: The Balochistan Assembly continued general discussion on the Provincial Budget 2015-16 on Sunday, as eight lawmakers took 88% of the proceedings’ time, reports Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
The sitting started 35 minutes behind the schedule with 20 members (31% of the total membership-65) present at the start and 25 (38%) at the time of adjournment.
Eight lawmakers – PkMAP (4) and one each from PML, NP, ANP and PML-N – shared their views on the budgetary figures for 128 minutes.
Following are some key observations of the proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Balochistan Assembly met for two hours and 25 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1535 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours, witnessing a delay of 35 minutes.
- 20 members were present at the start and 25 at the end of sitting.
- A maximum of 32 members (49%) were observed to be present at one point during the proceedings.
- The Deputy Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
- The Chief Minister and the Opposition Leader attended the entire sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of ANP, JUI-F, PML, PML-N and PkMAP were present.
- One member applied for leave.
- Two minority members attended the sitting.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Eight lawmakers – PkMAP (4) and one each from PML, NP, ANP and PML-N – participated in the budget debate for 128 minutes.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
- Information on legislators’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.
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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