ISLAMABAD, November 7, 2018: The National Assembly on Wednesday witnessed extravagant use of Points of Order by lawmakers in discussing the political issues, consuming 44 percent of the House proceedings, observers Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during eighth sitting of fourth session:
Members’ Participation
- The National Assembly met for three hours and 16 minutes.
- The proceedings started at 1123 hours against the scheduled time of 1100 hours.
- The Deputy Speaker presided over the sitting in the absence of the Speaker.
- The Leader of the House (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting.
- The Leader of the Opposition, who was brought to the House on the special orders of the Speaker, attended the sitting for 47 minutes.
- Ninety-two lawmakers (27%) were present at the outset and 86 (25%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of BAP, PML-N, ANP and PPPP attended the sitting.
- As many as four minority lawmakers were also present today.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House took up a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) regarding non-provision of due share of water to Sindh province according to 1991 Accord, which was responded to by the Minister for Water Resources.
- Another CAN on the agenda was not taken up which was related to the non-availability of service and rest areas on the Motorway (M-1).
- The House took up seven out of 42 starred questions on the agenda. In addition, lawmakers asked 19 supplementary questions.
- The House did not take up a Motion under Rule 259 to discuss the existing economic conditions prevailing in the country.
Order and Institutionalization
- As many as 12 lawmakers spoke on as many Points of Order for an hour and 26 minutes.
- The House was adjourned to meet again on November 8, 2018 at 1600 hours.
Transparency
- Orders of the Day was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- Attendance of lawmakers is available on the National Assembly’s website.
This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the National Assembly proceedings conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted