ISLAMABAD, October 29, 2018: The National Assembly on Monday left its 80 percent agenda unaddressed and consumed major part of its proceedings in debate on water related issues, observes the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the House proceedings during the first sitting of 4th session:
Members’ Participation
- The National Assembly met for three hours and six minutes while the proceedings remained suspended for 40 minutes due to prayer break.
- The sitting started at 1646 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours.
- The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
- The Deputy Speaker was also present.
- The Leader of House (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting.
- The Leader of Opposition Leader attended the sitting for an hour and 33 minutes. He was released from National Accountability Bureau’s custody to attend the sitting on production orders issued by the Speaker.
- As many as 81 lawmakers (24%) were present at outset and 113 (33%) at adjournment of the sitting.
- Newly elected MNAs took oath in the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, GDA, MMAP, JWP, PPPP and AMLP attended the sitting.
- As many as six out of 10 minority lawmakers were present.
Output
- Tabled by the Minister for Kashmir Affairs, the House unanimously adopted a resolution to condemn Indian occupation and atrocities in Kashmir.
- Parliamentary Secretary for Health tabled the the West Pakistan Juvenile Smoking (Repeal) Bill, 2018 but its further consideration was deferred.
- The House did not take up the West Pakistan Prohibition of Smoking in Cinema Houses (Repeal) Bill, 2018.
- The copy of address of the President to both Houses was not laid in the House.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House took up a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) regarding non-availability of potable water in all parts of the country including Islamabad, particularly Karachi. It was responded to by the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and the Chair allowed debate on it to lawmakers other than sponsors of this CAN which consumed an hour and eight minutes of the proceedings.
- Moved by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, the House adopted a motion to defer the agenda of October 30, 2018 (Private Members’ Day) till November 2, 2018.
- The Chair sought names from both sides of aisle for debate on existing economic situation of the country.
- The House did not take up other agenda items including a CAN and a motion of thanks to the President for his address to the Parliament.
- As many as four out of 30 starred questions were taken up by the House. Sixteen questions were not taken up due to absence of lawmakers, one question got lapsed and remaining nine could not be considered due to time constraint.
- A newly elected MNA made his maiden speech in the House and spoke for five minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- As many as six lawmakers spoke on seven points of order for ten minutes.
- The Opposition lawmakers walked out of the House for an hour and eight minutes against delayed production of the Leader of the Opposition.
- The House was adjourned to meet again on October 30, 2018 (Tuesday) at 1030 hours.
Transparency
- Orders of the Day was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- Attendance of 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 are excepted.