ISLAMABAD, December 11, 2017: The proceedings of the National Assembly were adjourned on Monday due to missing quorum in the House, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
It was the second time that the sitting had to be adjourned due to lack of quorum.
Following are key observations of the proceedings of the 3rd sitting of 50th session:
Members’ Participation
- The National Assembly met for an hour and 54 minutes while the proceedings remained suspended for 36 minutes due to prayer break.
- The sitting started at 1619 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours.
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for 52 minutes while the rest of the proceedings were chaired by the Deputy Speaker.
- The Leader of the House (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition remained present for 20 minutes.
- Twenty-five lawmakers (7%) were present at the outset and 80 (23%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
- The Parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, QWP, ANP and PPPP attended the sitting.
- Six minority members were present.
Output
- The House did not take up the legislative business, including calling attention notices, standing committees’ reports and motion of thanks appearing on the agenda.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Eight out of 25 starred questions were taken up while the lawmakers asked 18 supplementary questions.
Order and Institutionalization
- Four lawmakers spoke on five points of order for 13 minutes.
- The lawmakers belonging to PPPP staged a walkout at 1807 hours for not including FATA Reforms Bill on the agenda which was also joined at 1609 hours by PTI and other opposition lawmakers.
- PTI, JI and FATA lawmakers also protested in front of the Chair’s dice for 10 minutes for not including the FATA Reforms Bill on the agenda and tore its copies.
- A PTI lawmaker pointed out the quorum at 1810 hours which led to the adjournment of sitting at 1813 hours.
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.