ISLAMABAD, January 24, 2018: The National Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on Wednesday demanding the United Nations to resolve Kashmir issues and condemning the ceasefire violation by India along the Working Boundary, observes Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during ninth sitting of the 51st session:
Members’ Participation
- The National Assembly met for three hours.
- The sitting started at 1053 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours.
- The Deputy Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
- The Leader of the House (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting.
- The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 43 minutes.
- As many as 45 (13%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 63 (18%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
- The Parliamentary Leaders of PkMAP, PPPP, APML, PML-Z, NPP, ANP and QWP attended the sitting.
- Four minority members were present.
Output
- Moved by the Minister for Kashmir Affairs, the House adopted a resolution demanding the United Nations to resolve Kashmir issues as per its resolutions. The resolution also condemned the ceasefire violation by India along the Working Boundary.
- The Minister for Science and Technology introduced the COMSATS University Islamabad Bill, 2017. The House referred the bill to the relevant committee for further deliberations.
- The House rejected a motion seeking leave to introduce the Pakistan Tobacco Board (Amendment) Bill, 2017 with majority vote. As many as 37 lawmakers opposed the motion while 32 voted in favour of it.
- The Minister for Federal Education and Professional introduced the Institute for Art and Culture Bill, 2018 which was forwarded to the relevant committee.
- On behalf of the Minister of State for Finance and Economic Affairs, a PML-N lawmaker presented the Annual Report of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan on the statement of accounts of SECP, certified by the auditors for the year that ended on June 30, 2016.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House took up two Calling Attention Notices (CANs) regarding unavailability of clean drinking water to the residents of Islamabad as well as 80% population in the country.
- The House took up 10 out of 28 Starred Questions during the proceedings. The lawmakers asked 24 supplementary questions as well.
- The House did not take up a Motion of Thanks to the President for his address to the Parliament.
- A lawmaker spoke on a Point of Public Importance for seven minutes.
Order and Institutionalization
- The lawmakers spoke on seven Points of Order consuming 31 minutes of the proceedings.
- A PTI lawmaker pointed out the quorum at 1103 hours but it was found complete upon counting.
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.