ISLAMABAD, November 20, 2015: The National Assembly addressed eighty percent of its agenda during first sitting of its 26th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
The House also observed a minute of silence to pay tribute to the victims of terrorist attacks in Paris.
Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:
Members’ Participation in House Proceeding
- The National Assembly met for two hours and 29 minutes
- The sitting started at 1005 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for 50 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the rest of the sitting
- The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting
- The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for an hour and 45 minutes
- 34 MNAs (10%) were present at outset and 29 (8%) at adjournment of the sitting
- The parliamentary leaders of APML, JUI-F, BNP and QWP-S were present
- Seven minority members were present
- 10 members applied for leave
Output
- The National Assembly unanimously passed the Pakistan Health Research Council Bill, 2015 and the Cantonments (Amendment) Bill, 2015. The bills were passed without any discussion.
- Parliamentary Secretary for Interior & Narcotics Control laid before the House the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015.
- On behalf of the Chairman Standing Committee on Science & Technology, a member of the committee presented before the House the report on the Pakistan Halal Authority Bill, 2015.
- Parliamentary Secretary for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics & Privatization laid before the House the report of the Federal Accounts for the financial year, 2013-14 and the reports of the Auditor General for the Audit year, 2014-15.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The government responded to ten of 31 starred questions on floor of the House. The lawmakers asked 11 supplementary questions as well.
- The House took up a Calling Attention Notice regarding alarming increase in the number of patients of Hepatitis B and C in the country. Five female lawmakers belonging to PML-N sponsored this notice.
Order and Institutionalization
- Lawmakers spoke on 17 Points of Order consuming 51 minutes.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- The attendance of lawmakers was available to the media and observers.
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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