ISLAMABAD, February 13, 2018: The National Assembly on Tuesday passed three bills and adopted as many resolutions, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during the second sitting of the 52nd session:
Members’ Participation
- The National Assembly met for three hours and six minutes.
- The sitting started at 1038 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours.
- The Deputy Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
- The Leader of the House (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting.
- The Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and nine minutes.
- As many as 16 (5%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 54 (16%) at the adjournment of sitting.
- The Parliamentary Leaders of PkMAP, PPPP, ANP, JI, AJIP and QWP attended the sitting.
- Four minority members were present.
Output
- The House passed the National Assembly Secretariat Employees Bill, 2018 along with amendments, the Federal Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2017 and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
- The Chair deferred the Tour Operators and Travel Agents (Regulation) Bill, 2018 on request of the movers while the National Commission for Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2017 was dropped on mover’s absence.
- The House did not take up two bills including the Acid and Burn Crime Bill, 2017 and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (section 489F).
- The House adopted three resolutions to reduce prices of petroleum products, promote religious harmony and allocate land for a graveyard in rural area of NA-48, Islamabad.
- The House did not consider two other resolutions to control environmental pollution and provide quality services to patients in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad.
- PPPP lawmaker proposed amendments in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007 which were referred to the relevant Standing Committee for further deliberations.
- The House adopted amendments in rule 52, sub-rule (2) of rule 60, rule 110, sub-rule (3) of rule 118, sub-rule (2) of rule 129, sub-rule (5) of rule 170, sub-rule (3) of rule 170 A, rule 175, sub-rule (2) of rule 198, sub-rule (3) of rule 198, sub-rule (2) of rule 200, sub-rule (4) of rule 200, rule 206, rule 210, rule 244 of the Rules of Procedure and insertion of new clause 4 in rule 66.
- The House witnessed presentation of 14 reports on various legislative proposals by their respective Standing Committees. These legislative proposals were the Islamabad Capital Territory Prohibition of Employment of Children Bill, 2017; the Right to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017; the National Conflict of Interest Bill, 2016; the Health Insurance Scheme for Disabled Persons Bill, 2017; the Right to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017; the Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Bill, 2016; the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2017] (Amendment of Article 37); [the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2017] (Amendment of Article 160) ; the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2015] (Amendment of Article 63); the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2017] (Amendment of Article 5); the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2017] (Amendment of Article 198) ; the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2017; the Microfinance Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2017 and the Pakistan Private Courier Regulatory Authority Bill, 2015.
- On behalf of Chairman Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges, a member of the Committee presented reports regarding amendments in Rule 118 and Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House took up two Calling Attention Notices (CANs) regarding non-establishment of Regional Sub Office of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in Nankana Sahib and disparity in disbursement of farm loans between the Punjab and rest of the country.
- Five motions under Rule 259 were not taken up by the House which were regarding low profit rate on National Saving Schemes; steps to control drugs mafias in the Federal Government Educational Institutions; price-hike in the country; legislation to check the abuse of women/children and problems being faced by the Government employees in allotment of government accommodations in Islamabad.
- A motion under Rule 244 (B) to review legal system of the country remained unaddressed.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- Attendance of lawmakers was available to the media and observers.
This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the National Assembly proceedings conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted.