ISLAMABAD, January 13, 2022: The National Assembly approved the Finance (Supplementary) Bill, 2021 on Thursday amid opposition’s protest, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during fourth sitting of 40th session:
Members’ Participation
- The National Assembly met for seven hours and eight minutes; however, the proceedings remained suspended for 28 minutes due to prayer break.
- The sitting started at 04:50 pm against the scheduled time of 04:00 pm.
- The speaker chaired the sitting for four hours and 29 minutes while the remaining sitting was presided over by the deputy speaker.
- The leader of the house (Prime Minister) attended the sitting for three hours and 35 minutes.
- The opposition leader was present for two hours and 27 minutes.
- A newly elected PML-N lawmaker took oath and signed the roll.
- The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, ANP, BAP, BNP, MQMP, GDA, AMLP and MMAP attended the sitting.
- As many as 120 (35 percent) lawmakers were present at the outset and 138 (40 percent) at the adjournment of the sitting.
- Nine minority lawmakers were present.
Output
- The House passed the Finance (Supplementary) Bill, 2021 through a voice vote along with amendments.
- The House approved the government’s amendments to the proposed bill while voting also took place on 33 amendments moved by the opposition to the supplementary finance bill that were subsequently rejected through a majority as well as voice vote.
- Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs presented the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Ordinance 2021.
- Moved by the Minister for finance and revenue, the House passed the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2022 after passage of the motion for its immediate consideration. Eight lawmakers spoke on it for 49 minutes.
- The House passed 15 other bills which were the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Islamabad Healthcare Facilities Management Authority Bill, 2021; the Allied Health Professionals Council Bill, 2021; the Pakistan Nursing Council (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2021] (Section-8); the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (Section-2, 8, 9 and 43B); the University of Engineering and Emerging Technology Bill, 2021; the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the National Information Technology Board Bill, 2019; the Protection against Harassment of women at the Workplace (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the Government Savings Bank (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Post Office National Savings Certificates (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Protection of Parents Bill, 2021 and the National Metrology Institute of Pakistan Bill, 2021.
- The House deferred four government bills which were the Employees’ Old Age Benefits (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Pakistan Maritime Zones Bill, 2021; the Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission Bill, 2021 and the Pakistan Global Institute Bill, 2021.
- The House adopted two resolutions seeking extension of the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 and the National Accountability (Third Amendment) for a further period of 120 days.
- The House did not consider a motion for consideration of the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in the joint sitting.
- Two statutory reports on the agenda were not taken up.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House neither took up two calling attention notices nor considered a motion of thanks to the President for his address to both Houses and a motion under Rule 259.
Order and Institutionalization
- The opposition protested for two hours and 22 minutes during the consideration of legislative agenda.
- Lawmakers belonging to PPPP pointed out the quorum on multiple occasions but the Chair ignored it.
- The House was adjourned to meet again on Friday, January 14, 2022 at 11:00 am.
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