ISLAMABAD, September 10, 2014: The 7th sitting of the ongoing 3rd Joint Session of the Parliament continued to witness low attendance of legislators as only 87 were present at the start of the sitting while 38 at the adjournment, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
The joint sitting continued the debate on the motion under Rule 259 regarding the prevailing political situation in the country. Six legislators – two each belonging to PML-N, PPPP and one each of JUI-F, MQM – took part in the debate.
The Prime Minister attended the sitting for 80 minutes while, his counterpart, the Leader of the Opposition, was present for 12 minutes. The session was adjourned for one week to ensure that efforts are being made to assist the flood victims.
Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The joint sitting lasted four hours and four minutes.
- The sitting started at 1126 hours against the scheduled time of 1100 hours, witnessing a delay of 26 minutes.
- The Speaker chaired the entire sitting. The Deputy Speaker was also present. The Chairman Senate did not attend the sitting while the Deputy Chairman Senate was present for 23 minutes.
- The Prime Minister attended the sitting for 80 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition was there for 12 minutes. The Leader of the House in Senate attended the sitting for two hours and 24 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition in Senate was present for 18 minutes.
- Eighty-seven legislators (20% of the total membership of 446 – 342 in NA and 104 in Senate) were present at the outset of the sitting while 38 (9%) were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 228 members (51%) were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
- The NA parliamentary leaders of PML-F, PkMAP, QWP, JI, APML, JUI-F, PML-Z and ANP attended the sitting. Similarly, Senate’s parliamentary leaders of ANP, PML-F, PPPP, PML-N and NP were also present.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Six parliamentarians – two each belonging to PML-N, PPPP and one each of JUI-F, MQM – took part in the debate on the motion under Rule 259 regarding the political situation in the country.
Order and Institutionalization
- Twelve Points of Order consumed 40 minutes of the sitting time. However, none of the Points of Order attracted the Chair’s formal ruling. Unless, the Chair gives a formal ruling on a Point of Order, it doesn’t lead to any assembly output.
- There was no instance of protest, boycott or walkout.
Transparency
- Information on members’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.
This publication has been prepared with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of FAFEN and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. This Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of the Parliament proceedings conducted by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI); a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions excepted.