ISLAMABAD, January 21, 2014: The Balochistan Assembly passed the Balochistan Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2014 in the 4th sitting of its 7th session on Tuesday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.
The Bill was earlier tabled in the second sitting on January 15 but was later withdrawn for some necessary amendment.
Additionally, the House adopted a resolution calling upon the provincial government to take up with the federal government the issues of low gas pressure and poor electricity infrastructure in various districts of the province. It demanded of the government to improve quality of power transmission lines in Khuzdar, Loralai and also approve laying of new transmission line in Zhob.
Thirteen legislators belonging to PkMAP (6), PML-N (3), NP (2), and one each of MWM & JUI-F debated the resolution for an hour and 40 minutes.
The Assembly approved an adjournment motion for debate for the January 25 sitting. The motion was regarding electricity related issues in Lasbela and handing over KESC affairs to WAPDA again.
The House condemned the terror incidents of Rawalpindi and Bannu that resulted in the loss of several precious lives. The lawmakers offered fateha for the departed souls.
As many as 28 MPAs were present at the outset, while 25 were there at the adjournment of the sitting. The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
Following are some key observations of the proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The Balochistan Assembly met for two hours and nine minutes.
- The sitting started at 1541 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours, witnessing a delay of 41 minutes.
- Twenty-eight members were present at the outset while 25 were there at the adjournment of the sitting.
- The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
- The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of MWM and PkMAP were present.
- Fourteen members applied for leave.
- Two minority members were present during the sitting.
Output
- Tabled by provincial minister for local bodies, the House passed Balochistan Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2014.
- Tabled jointly by members of PkMAP, MWM and NP, the House adopted a resolution calling upon the provincial government to urge the federal government to improve the existing condition of gas and electricity supplies in various districts of the province.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The Assembly approved an adjournment motion for holding a debate in the sitting of January 25 regarding electricity related issues in Lasbela and handing over KESC to WAPDA.
Order and Institutionalization
- Lawmakers spoke on three points of orders, consuming four minutes of the proceedings.
- No instance of protest, walkout or boycott was witnessed during the sitting.
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.
The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Balochistan Assembly proceedings conducted by Center for Peace and Development (CPD), a Member organization of FAFEN.