ISLAMABAD, May 31, 2017: The National Assembly resumed general discussion on Budget 2017-2018 amid boycott of the opposition parties for not telecasting their speech on Pakistan Television, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in Daily Factsheet on Wednesday.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during sixth sitting of the 43rd session:
Members’ Participation
- The National Assembly met for two hours and 18 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1148 hours against the scheduled time 1100 hours.
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for an hour and 28 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the rest of the proceedings.
- The Leader of the House (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition boycotted the proceedings.
- Seventy-eight lawmakers (23%) were present at the outset and 54 (16%) at the adjournment of sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, QWP-S and JUI-F attended the sitting.
- Four minority lawmakers were present.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Eight lawmakers – four PML-N, two JUI-F and one each of PTI and PMLF – took part in the general discussion on Budget 2017-2018, consuming an hour and 36 minutes of the proceedings.
Order and Institutionalization
- The lawmakers spoke on five Points of Order consuming 18 minutes of the sitting.
- A PPPP lawmaker pointed out quorum at 1202 hours, which was found complete upon counting.
- The entire opposition boycotted the proceedings for not telecasting the speeches of opposition lawmakers on national television.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- Information on members’ attendance is available on National Assembly website.
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.