ISLAMABAD, May 8, 2014: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly adopted two separate resolutions demanding the federal government take steps for release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui and release of pension arrears of industrial workers during the sixth sitting of 12th session on Thursday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
Tabled by a JUI-F female lawmaker, the House adopted a resolution urging the provincial government to ask the federal government to take steps to ensure the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui. ANP did not participate in the voting and demanded a debate in the House over the issue.
The other adopted resolution, tabled by a QWP female lawmaker, condemned the alleged misappropriation in EOBI funds of industrial workers and non-implantation of an increase in their pensions from Rs 3,600 to Rs 5,000 as announced by the federal government last year.
A PTI lawmaker submitted a privilege motion against a local newspaper of Kohat and a private television channel for showing disrespectful material against the Deputy Speaker. It was referred to the privilege committee.
The House took up two calling attention notices (CANs). Sponsored by a PTI lawmaker, the first CAN was regarding the lack of English teaching staff in the government high school Safaid Sang (PK-7) while the other CAN was sponsored by a PML-N legislator regarding the sudden closure of a technical and vocational training center in Havelian.
The sitting was adjourned until Monday (May 12) at 1500.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:
- The KP Assembly met for four hours and 30 minutes, taking two breaks of an hour and 27 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1650 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 50 minutes.
- The Speaker did not attend the sitting while the Deputy Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
- The Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition attended the entire sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of AJIP, ANP, JUI-F and QWP attended the proceedings.
- Sixty-one members were present at the outset and 43 at the adjournment of the sitting.
- Three minority members attended the sitting.
- Thirteen members applied for leave.
Output
- Tabled by a JUI-F female lawmaker, the House adopted a resolution urging the provincial government to ask the federal government to take steps to ensure the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui. ANP did not participate in the voting and demanded a debate in the House over the issue.
- The other adopted resolution, tabled by a QWP female lawmaker, condemned the alleged misappropriation in EOBI funds of industrial workers and non-implantation of an increase in their pensions from Rs 3,600 to Rs 5,000 as announced by the federal government last year.
- A resolution tabled by a PML-N legislator objected to coeducation in some government high schools of the province. It was referred to the relevant committee.
- A resolution about making the women empowerment department an independent organization was dropped after voting. It was tabled by a QWP lawmaker.
- The House deferred a resolution tabled by a PML-N legislator regarding the allotment of 77 kanal land owned by the Ministry of Environment to different government departments in Havelian.
Representation and Responsiveness
- A PTI lawmaker submitted a privilege motion against a local newspaper of Kohat and a private television channel for showing disrespectful material against the Deputy Speaker. It was referred to the privilege committee.
- A PTI lawmaker tabled a CAN regarding the lack of English teaching staff in the government high school Safaid Sang (PK-7).
- The second CAN was sponsored by a PML-N legislator regarding the sudden closure of a technical and vocational training center in Havelian.
- The House took up 6 out of 13 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) and they were responded by the relevant ministries. The lawmakers also asked five supplementary questions.
- The House admitted an adjournment motion of QWP lawmaker for debate which was regarding government’s alleged hurdles to re-awarding of coal mining contracts to the Chinese investors.
Order and Institutionalization
- The members spoke on three points of order consuming 13 minutes.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
- Information on members’ attendance was not available to observers and the public.
The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of KP Assembly proceedings conducted by PAIMAN, a member organization of FAFEN