ISLAMABAD, April 16, 2021: The National Assembly (NA) transacted most of its agenda and consumed 75 percent of the proceedings in points of order related to the issues faced by non-Muslims and prevailing law and order in the country, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet on Friday.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during first sitting of 32nd session:
Members’ Participation
- The National Assembly met for an hour and 52 minutes.
- The sitting started at 11:00 am against the scheduled time of 10:30 am.
- The speaker presided over the entire sitting.
- The deputy speaker did not attend the sitting.
- The leaders of the House (Prime Minister) and the opposition did not attend the sitting.
- As many as 53 (15%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 73 (21%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
- Only the parliamentary leader of PPPP attended the sitting.
- Seven out of ten minority lawmakers were present.
Output
- Minister for Energy presented the Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021.
- The House witnessed introduction of two government bills, including the Muslim Family Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and the National Commission on the Rights of Child (Amendment) Bill, 2021. Both the bills were referred to relevant committee for deliberation. The former bill is related to the registration of talaq, maintenance of minor children, children with disability and unmarried daughter while the latter bill aims to bring clarity to the existing legislation especially exercise of authority by the Federation.
- Chairman Standing Committee on Law and Justice presented the report of the Committee on the Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission Bill, 2019.
- Chairman Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue presented the report of the Committee on the SBP Banking Services Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
- Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs presented the annual report of Pakistan Information Commission for the period January 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Parliamentary Secretary for Interior responded to calling attention notice (CAN) regarding closure of Nawa Pass and Gorsal border points at Pakistan-Afghanistan border for trade/business activities.
- Another CAN related to increasing trend of drug addiction amongst youth in Lahore and a motion of thanks to the President were not considered.
Order and Institutionalization
- Fifteen lawmakers spoke on points of order for an hour and 24 minutes mainly related to conduct of NA proceedings as per SOPs during third wave of coronavirus, non-Muslims’ issue and law and order situation in the country.
- The House was adjourned to meet again on April 19, 2021 (Monday) at 02:00 pm.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- Attendance of the lawmakers is available on the National Assembly’s website.
This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the National Assembly proceedings conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions excepted.