ISLAMABAD, October 23, 2014: The National Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution to condemn ceasefire violations by the India forces on the Line of Control and Working Boundary during the 4th sitting of 15th session on Thursday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
The resolution was moved by the Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs who also winded up the debate during his six-minute speech on civilian casualties and damages to property due to unprovoked and indiscriminate firing and shelling by the Indian forces.
The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs introduced the Electoral Rolls (Amendment) Ordinance 2014 and the Delimitation of Constituencies (Amendment) Ordinance 2014 in the House.
Sponsored by four JI lawmakers, the House took up a calling attention notice (CAN) regarding uncertainty about the return of one million IDPs living in camps in Bannu due to the ongoing military operation in FATA.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings:
- The National Assembly met for two hours and 13 minutes.
- The sitting began at 1130 hours against the scheduled time of 1100 hours witnessing a delay of 30 minutes.
- The Speaker chaired the sitting while the Deputy Speaker was not present.
- The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and 30 minutes.
- Sixty-two lawmakers (18%) were present at the outset and 52 (15%) at the adjournment while a maximum of 120 members (35%) were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, QWP, JI, APML, BNP-A, MQM and ANP attended the sitting.
- Three minority members attended the sitting.
- Fourteen lawmakers applied for leave.
Output
- Tabled by the Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, the House adopted a resolution to condemn ceasefire violations by the India forces on the Line of Control and Working Boundary. It also appreciated the Pakistan Army for its bravery and prompt retaliation.
- The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs introduced the Electoral Rolls (Amendment) Ordinance 2014 and the Delimitation of Constituencies (Amendment) Ordinance 2014.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affair winded up debate on a motion under Rule 259 about civilian casualties and damages to property due to unprovoked and indiscriminate firing and shelling by the Indian forces. He spoke for six minutes.
- The House took up a calling attention notice (CAN) regarding uncertainty about the return of one million IDPs living in camps in Bannu due to the ongoing military operation in FATA.
- Sponsored by four JI lawmakers, the House took up eight out of 31 questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) while the members also asked 13 supplementary questions.
Order and Institutionalization
- Fifteen points of order consumed 41 minutes of the proceedings’ time.
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 Quorum was visibly lacking at various stages of the sitting. However, it was not pointed out by any of the legislators.
This publication has been produced 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 National Assembly proceedings conducted by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI); a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions excepted