ISLAMABAD, November 7, 2013: The National Assembly unanimously adopted a Resolution seeking delay in Local Government Elections during the fourth sitting of the ongoing sixth session, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the National Assembly on Thursday.
The House continued debate on the Motion under Rule 259 about the recent drone attacks in North Waziristan. Eleven legislators debated the Motion for two hours and 15 minutes.
The sitting witnessed low attendance of Members as 34 (10% of the current membership—340) were present at the outset of the sitting while 78 were there at the adjournment
Members spoke on 15 Points of Order for 41 minutes (17% 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 does not lead to any assembly’s output.
The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was there for two hours and 11 minutes.
Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The National Assembly met for three hours and 58 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1047 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 17 minutes.
- The Speaker chaired the sitting for an hour and 44 minutes while the remaining one hour and 39 minutes was presided over by the Deputy Speaker.
- The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition remained present for two hours and 11 minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of JUI-F, MQM, PkMAP, ANP and PML-Z were present.
- Thirty-four Members (10% of the total current membership – 340) were present at the outset while 78 (23%) were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 144 Members were observed to be present at one point of sitting.
- Five Minority Members attended the sitting.
- The House observed a 35-minute prayer break.
- Eleven members applied for leave.
Output
- Moved by a PTI Member, the House unanimously adopted a Resolution seeking delay in Local Bodies’ elections.
- Three Ordinances, including Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 (No 7, of 2013); the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013, (No 8 of 2013); the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance, 2013, (No 9 of 2013) were presented before the House.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Eleven Members spoke on the Motion under Rule 259 about the recent drone attacks in North Waziristan Agency.
- Two PML-N MNAs spoke for 24 minutes, followed by two PPPP MNAs (23 minutes), two MNAs from FATA (20 minutes), and one Member of PML-Z (18 minutes), one MQM (16 minutes), one JUI-F (15 minutes), one PTI (12 minutes) and one Member of the JI (7 minutes).
- A PML-N legislator submitted two privilege motions. One was against the Deputy Superintendent Post Office Faisalabad for mishandling him and the other was against the police department.
Order and Institutionalization
- Members spoke on 15 Points of Order for 41 minutes (17% of the sitting time). However, none of the Points of Order attracted the Chair’s formal ruling.
- There were no instances of Protest, Boycotts or Walkouts.
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.
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