ISLAMABAD, October 05, 2016: The Prime Minister initiated debate on Kashmir issue in the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), including deteriorating condition of human rights in the Occupied Valley and ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet on Wednesday.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during first sitting of the Joint Session of Parliament:
Members’ Participation
- The Majlis-e-Shoora met for three hours and 53 minutes.
- The proceedings remained suspended for 29 minutes due to a prayer break.
- The sitting started at its scheduled time of 1630 hours.
- The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
- The Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Senate and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly also attended the sitting.
- The Prime Minister remained present for an hour and 27 minutes while the Leader of the House in the Senate attended the sitting for two hours and 26 minutes.
- The Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly was present for two hours and 20 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate attended the sitting for an hour and 28 minutes.
- 177 Parliamentarians (39%) were present at the outset and 32 (7%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
Output
- The House did not take up the legislative business appearing on Orders of the Day.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Moved by Minister for Law and Justice, the House held discussion on the prevailing situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir, including violations of human rights and ceasefire along the Line of Control. The Prime Minister inaugurated the discussion that continued for three hours and eight minutes while eight other parliamentarians also took part in it.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- The attendance of lawmakers was available to the media and observers.
This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Majlis-e-Shoora proceedings conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted.