ISLAMABAD, December 29, 2021: The National Assembly left its entire agenda unaddressed except question hour on Wednesday, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during fourth sitting of the 39th session:
Members’ Participation
- The National Assembly met for an hour and 43 minutes; however the proceedings remained suspended for 33 minutes due to prayer break.
- The sitting started at 04:08 pm against the scheduled time of 03:00 pm.
- The deputy speaker chaired the entire sitting in the absence of speaker.
- The leaders of the house (Prime Minister) and the opposition did not attend the sitting.
- As many as 60 (18 percent) lawmakers were present at the outset and 43 (13 percent) at the adjournment of the sitting.
- Parliamentary leaders of PML-N and PML attended the sitting.
- Six minority lawmakers were present.
Output
- The House did not take up legislative business, four resolutions, 25 reports of standing committees and amendments in the rules of procedure and conduct of business.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House took up seven out of 33 starred questions while the lawmakers asked 20 supplementary questions.
- The House did not take up two calling attention notices.
Order and Institutionalization
- Four lawmakers spoke on points of order for 12 minutes.
- A lawmaker belonging to PPPP pointed out the quorum at 04:32 pm which was found complete upon counting.
- The opposition staged a token walkout when the Chair did not allow a lawmaker belonging to MMAP to speak on a point of order.
- The House was adjourned to meet again on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at 04:00 pm.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to legislators, observers and public.
- Attendance of lawmakers was available to 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