ISLAMABAD, March 2, 2018: The National Assembly’s 53rd session was prorogued sine die on Friday after lack of quorum during the last sitting, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during second (last) sitting of the 53rd session:
Members’ Participation
- The National Assembly met for an hour and 38 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1042 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours.
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for an hour and 32 minutes while rests of the proceedings were chaired by the Deputy Speaker.
- The Leaders of the House and the Opposition were not present.
- As many as 23 (7%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 62 (18%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, APML and JI attended the sitting.
- As many as four minority members were present.
Output
- The House did not consider the legislative business on the agenda.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House addressed two Calling Attention Notices (CANs) about inadequate laws for recovery of loans from the defaulters and increase in prices of petroleum products.
Order and Institutionalization
- Ministers for Climate Change and Kashmir Affairs spoke on political issues for 13 and six minutes respectively.
- A point of order consumed three minutes of the proceedings.
- A JI lawmaker pointed out quorum at 1217 hours, subsequently head count was made and the quorum was found incomplete. The Chair announced to prorogue the session sine die at 1220 hours.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- Attendance of lawmakers was available to the 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.