ISLAMABAD, June 8, 2016: The discussion on the Budget 2016-17 in the National Assembly continued on Wednesday during fifth sitting of 33rd session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings
- The National Assembly met for three hours and 58 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1105 hours against the scheduled time 1100 hours.
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for 145 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the rest of the proceeding.
- The Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Finance Minister did not attend the sitting,
- Twelve Federal Ministers were present.
- 43 MNAs (12%) were present at outset and 32 (9%) at adjournment of the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, JI, AMLP, PML-Z, QWP-S and APML attended the sitting.
- Six minority members were present.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Sixteen lawmakers belonging to PML-N, PPPP, PTI, JI and Independents took part in the general discussion on Budget 2016-17 consuming 214 minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- The lawmakers spoke on seven Points of Order consuming nine minutes of the sitting.
- The MQM lawmakers staged walkout at 1116 hours against sieging the House of the party’s Parliamentary Leader in Karachi. They did not return to the House till the adjournment.
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.