ISLAMABAD, January 19, 2016: The National Assembly took up only half of the agenda items appearing on Orders of the Day on Tuesday during thirteenth sitting of 28th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
It was third private members day of the ongoing session.
Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The National Assembly met for two hours and 44 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1035 hours against its scheduled time of 1030 hours.
- The Speaker chaired the sitting for two hours and 23 minutes while the Deputy Speaker presided over the rest of the proceeding.
- The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
- The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for two hours and eight minutes.
- Twelve Federal Ministers attended the sitting.
- 17 MNAs (5%) were present at outset and 52 (15%) at adjournment of the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of QWP-S, JI, PML-Z, APML and AMLP were present.
- Five minority members were present.
Output
- The lawmakers belonging to MQM and JUI-F introduced the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and the Employment of Children (Amendment) Bill 2016 respectively. The bills were referred to relevant standing committees.
- The House adopted a resolution sponsored by MQM lawmaker urging the government to take special steps to promote religious harmony in the country. Eight lawmakers discussed it for 33 minutes.
- Eleven lawmakers including four ministers debated a resolution seeking to recommend declaring Friday as weekly holiday. The resolution was referred to the relevant standing committee for further deliberations.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The Federal Minister for Defence made a policy statement regarding the Pakistan’s stance on recently announced 34 nations’ Saudi-led anti-terrorism coalition and recent Saudi-Iran controversy. Four lawmakers also made speeches on the subject consuming 12 minutes.
- The House took up two Calling Attention Notices regarding highest prevalence of hepatitis in the country and discontinuation of pension to the retired employees of Lok Virsa.
- The House did not take up any of the motions under rule 259 appearing on the agenda.
Order and Institutionalization
- Three lawmakers spoke on Points of Order consuming three minutes of the proceeding. They discussed the issues relating to governance and business of the House.
- The sole member of AMLP staged a walkout at 1044 hours against the lack of quorum and non-seriousness of the government to the business of the House. He did not return to the House till the adjournment of the sitting.
- A PTI lawmaker also staged walkout at 1303 hours after he was not allowed to speak on a point of order. He too did not return to the House till the adjournment.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- The attendance of lawmakers is available on website of National Assembly.
To download the factsheet, click here for English version – click here for Urdu version
This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the National Assembly proceeding conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted