The 22nd Session of the Balochistan Assembly remained heavily focused on the need for greater efforts by the provincial government to stir economic growth...
ISLAMABAD, October 13, 2015: The Balochistan Assembly passed eight government bills and adopted five resolutions amid low attendance and participation of lawmakers during the 21th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its report based on direct observation of the House.
The annual budgets for the Fiscal Year 2015-16 were approved in all provincial legislatures amid protests/walkouts/boycotts as the opposition lawmakers raised a significant number of cut motions against government demands for grants. More than half the members in each assembly refrained from participating in the general discussion on the budget.
The 10th Balochistan Assembly witnessed a prolific first parliamentary year with the passage of 21 treasury-backed bills, including landmark legislation on domestic violence, education and rehabilitation of victims of terrorism. The House adopted 59 resolutions mostly seeking improved governance and economic development in the province. Impressively, 97 percent of the legislators participated in the House proceedings.
ISLAMABAD, October 31, 2014: The Senate witnessed introduction of two ordinances aimed to facilitate the conduct of local government elections, six walkouts and absence of the Prime Minister during the 108th session, says the Free and Fair Election Network in its preliminary report based on direct observation. Three legislations − a private member’s bill and two ordinances − appeared on the session’s agenda. Both ordinances − the Electoral Rolls (Amendment) Ordinance 2014 and the Delimitation of Constituencies (Amendment) Ordinance 2014 − were introduced in the House while a private member’s bill seeking to revise powers, immunities and privileges of parliamentarians was withdrawn by the mover.
The Balochistan Assembly witnessed one of its most productive sessions as the House passed 13 Bills. Some of these Bills focused on improvement in governance, protection of human rights and increase in the perks and privileges of lawmakers. The House also adopted 14 resolutions primarily seeking better governance in the province. Lawmakers' interest in the proceedings was evident as 71% of the assembly's members contributed to the agenda on the List of Business and/or shared their views in the on-floor debates.
Amid political instability, constitutional crisis, and sectarian killings leading to imposition of the Governor's Rule, the Balochistan Assembly met for only 23 sittings in the...
