ISLAMABAD, March 1, 2021: The National Assembly on Monday transacted around 60 percent of the agenda amid opposition’s protest against extending an ordinance for more than 120 days, observes Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during fifth sitting of the 29th session:
Members’ Participation
- The National Assembly met for an hour and 41 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1640 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours.
- The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
- The Deputy Speaker was not present.
- The Leaders of the House (Prime Minister) and the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
- A newly elected member of the House from PTI took oath.
- Fifty-five (16%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 86 (25%) at adjournment of the sitting.
- Parliamentary Leaders of BAP, GDA and JWP were present.
- Six minority lawmakers attended the sitting.
Output
- Tabled by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, the House adopted a resolution to extend the Federal Medical Teaching Institute Ordinance, 2020 for a further period of 120 days with effect from March 13, 2021.The resolution was passed after voice voting.
- Two Ordinances including the Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 and the PAF Air War College Institute Ordinance, 2021 were laid in the House.
- Minister for Finance and Revenue laid the Mid-Year Budget Review Report FY 2020-21.
- A member of the Standing Committee on Human Rights presented the reports of the Committee on the Islamabad Capital Territory Senior Citizens Bill, 2020 and the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2019. Though the Acting Chairman Standing Committee was present in the House but the Chair did not give her floor because she wanted to speak against extension of Ordinance before tabling these reports.
- On behalf of the Chairman Standing Committee on Interior, a member of the Committee presented reports on the Pakistan Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and the Corona virus pandemic (COVID-19) [Covid-19 (Prevention of Hoarding) Bill, 2020.
- Two Calling Attention Notices and as many government bills, a motion under Rule 259 and a motion of thanks to President remained unaddressed.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House took up 14 out of 35 starred questions while the lawmakers asked 19 supplementary questions as well.
Order and Institutionalization
- Two lawmakers spoke on points of order for nine minutes.
- A PML-N lawmaker pointed out the quorum at 1754 hours but it was found complete upon counting.
- The entire opposition walked out from the House for four minutes when the Chair disallowed its lawmakers to speak about extension of the Federal Medical Teaching Institute Ordinance, 2020.
- The House was adjourned to meet again on March 2, 2021 (Tuesday) at 1100 hours.
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