ISLAMABAD, February 25, 2014: The National Assembly debated a motion under rule 259 regarding the foreign policy of the government on Tuesday during second sitting of the 9th session, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.
Moved by a female lawmaker of PPPP, ten legislators debated the motion on foreign policy for an hour and 36 minutes. Two members each of PPPP, PTI, JI and single member each of JUI-F, PkMAP, PML-N and MQM took part in the debate. The debate continued when the House was adjourned due to the lack of quorum.
The House also witnessed introduction of four private member bills, adopted four resolutions and took up a calling attention notice regarding non-shifting of the steel mills from Sector I-9, Islamabad. The federal minister for parliamentary affairs responded to the notice.
All of the four bills were introduced by the lawmakers belonging to PML-N. The bills include the Constitution (Amendment Bill), 2014, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2014, the Control of Narcotics Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University Islamabad (Amendment) Bill, 2014. The bills were referred to the relevant standing committees.
Sponsored by female lawmaker of JUI-F, the House adopted a resolution to make legislation as per the pending recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology. The other three resolutions urged the government to explore new reserves of oil and gas in the country, take steps in order to do away with gas load-shedding, and celebrate the World Oral Health Day on March 20 every year.
The members raised 17 points of order consuming 53 minutes of the proceedings.
A PTI lawmaker pointed out quorum during the debate on foreign policy and the Chair adjourned the sitting for Wednesday.
Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:
- The National Assembly met for three hours and 35 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1638 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours, witnessing a delay of 38 minutes.
- The Speaker chaired the entire sitting except for last 43 minutes when Deputy Speaker presided over the proceedings.
- The House had a prayer break of 28 minutes.
- The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour.
- The parliamentary leaders of PML-F and ANP and sole members of AMLP, APML and PML-Z were present.
- Sixty-six members were present at the outset while 62 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 168 members were observed to be present at one point of sitting.
- Six minority members attended the sitting.
- Ten members applied for leave.
Output
- The House also witnessed introduction of four private member bills. All these bills were introduced by the lawmakers belonging to PML-N. The bills include the Constitution (Amendment Bill), 2014, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2014, the Control of Narcotics Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University Islamabad (Amendment) Bill, 2014. The bills were referred to the relevant standing committees.
- Sponsored by female lawmaker of JUI-F, the House adopted a resolution to make legislation as per the pending recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology. The other three resolutions urged the government to explore the new reserves of oil and gas in the country, take steps in order to do away with load-shedding of gas, and celebrate the World Oral Health Day on March 20 every year.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Moved by a female lawmaker of PPPP, ten legislators debated the motion under rule 259 regarding foreign policy of the government for an hour and 36 minutes. Two members each of PPPP, PTI, JI and single member each of JUI-F, PkMAP, PML-N and MQM took part in the debate. The debate continued when the House was adjourned due to the lacking quorum.
- The House also took up a calling attention notice regarding non-shifting of the steel mills from Sector I-9, Islamabad. The federal minister for parliamentary affairs responded to the notice.
Order and Institutionalization
- A PTI lawmaker pointed out quorum during the debate on foreign policy. The Chair adjourned the sitting for Wednesday.
- The members raised 17 points of order consuming 53 minutes of the proceedings.
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