ISLAMABAD, February 7, 2014: The National Assembly took up two calling attention notices (CANs) and witnessed laying of annual report of State Bank of Pakistan during 9th sitting of the last day of 8th session on Friday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.
Sponsored by two PML-N legislators, the first CAN was relating to the amount allocated for the Workers Welfare Fund and its release to the provinces while the other one, sponsored by five PPPP legislators, was regarding non-allocation of funds by the Government for Expended Programme on Immunization (vaccines).
Parliamentary Secretary for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics, and Privatization laid the annual report of the State Bank of Pakistan on the state of Pakistan’s economy for the year 2012-2013.
Minister for Defence Production presented a motion to nominate MNAs Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Sherazi and Dr. Darshan as members of Sindh Coal Authority, Karachi.
A total of 71 members were present at the outset while 48 were there at the adjournment of sitting.
The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting. Parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, PML-F, ANP, JI, QWP-S and PML-Z attended the proceedings.
Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:
- The National Assembly met for an hour and 56 minutes. The sitting started at 1054 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 24 minutes.
- The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
- The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
- Parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, PML-F, ANP, JI, QWP-S and PML-Z attended the proceedings.
- Seventy-one (71) members were present at the outset while 48 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 128 members were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.
- Eight minority members attended the sitting.
- Sixteen members applied for leave.
Output
- Parliamentary Secretary for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics, and Privatization laid the annual report of the State Bank of Pakistan on the state of Pakistan’s economy for the year 2012-2013 as required by section 9A(f) of the State Bank of Pakistan Act, 1956.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Sponsored by two PML-N legislators, the House took up CAN regarding the amount allocated for the Workers Welfare Fund and its release to the provinces.
- Another taken-up CAN was sponsored by five PPPP MNAs and was relating to non-allocation of funds by the government for Expended Programme on Immunization (vaccines).
- Minister for Defence Production presented a motion to nominate MNAs Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Sherazi and Dr. Darshan as members of Sindh Coal Authority, Karachi, as required by section 7(1)(iv) of the Sindh Coal Authority Act, 1994.
- Eleven of the 27 Starred Questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) were answered by relevant ministries during the sitting. MNAs asked 14 supplementary questions, as well.
Order and Institutionalization
- There were no instances of protests, boycotts or walkouts during the sitting.
- Lawmakers spoke on 17 points of order, consuming 28 minutes of the proceedings.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
- Information on members’ attendance was not available to observers and the public.
This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of FAFEN and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. This Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of the National Assembly proceedings conducted by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI); a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions excepted