ISLAMABAD, September 27, 2019: The Provincial Assembly of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) transacted its entire business appearing on the Orders of the Day on Friday, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings during eighth sitting of the eighth session:
Members’ Participation
- The Assembly met for six hours and 15 minutes.
- The sitting started five minutes earlier than its scheduled time of 1030 hours while the proceedings remained suspended for an hour and 40 minutes due to prayers break.
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for two hours and 35 minutes while a Member of Panel of Chairpersons presided rest of the sitting.
- The Deputy Speaker was absent.
- The Leader of the House did not attend the sitting.
- The Leader of Opposition attended the entire proceedings.
- Forty-nine legislators (34%) were present at the outset and 50 (40%) at the end of the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of ANP, MMAP, PPPP and PML-N attended the proceedings.
- One out of four minority lawmakers was present.
Output
- Moved by the Minister for Law, the House passed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Employees of Transport and Mass Transit Department (Regularization of Services) Bill, 2019.
- Moved by Minister for Health, the House also passed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Regional and District Health Authorities Bill, 2019.
- The Minister for Law introduced the KP Enforcement of Women’s Property Rights Bill, 2019.
- The Minister for Finance presented Biannual Monitoring Report on NFC Awards in the House.
- The Minister for Law presented a report of the Special Committee on (ETEA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the House.
- Sponsored by a PTI lawmaker, the House adopted a resolution demanding compensation for the families of bomb blast victims in district Bannu.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House took up five out of 15 starred questions. The remaining questions were lapsed due to absence of their movers. The lawmakers asked five supplementary questions as well.
- Sponsored by PPPP lawmaker, the Minister for Law responded to a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) regarding protection of rights of labours working in coal mines. Moreover, another CAN appearing on agenda remained unaddressed due to mover’s absence.
- The House held general discussion on energy crisis and electricity issues. As many as four lawmakers – two from ANP, one from MMAP and one independent lawmaker – participated in debate consuming an hour of the proceedings.
Order and Institutionalization
- A PTI lawmaker identified the lack of quorum at 1403 hours that led to the suspension of proceedings for 30 minutes.
- The House was adjourned to meet again on September 30, 2019 (Monday) at 1430 hours.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
- The attendance of lawmakers was not available to the observers and media.
This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the KP Assembly proceeding conducted by United Rural Development Organization (URDO) – a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are excepted