ISLAMABAD, December 13, 2017: The fifth sitting of the National Assembly had to be adjourned due to missing quorum on Wednesday as the deadlock between treasury and opposition benches persisted for not including the FATA Reforms Bill on the agenda, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
It was the fourth time that the sitting had to be adjourned due to lack of quorum.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during fifth sitting of 50th session:
Members’ Participation
- The National Assembly met for 52 minutes while the proceedings remained suspended for 35 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1036 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours.
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for 16 minutes while rests of the proceedings were presided over by the Deputy Speaker.
- The Leader of the House (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting.
- The Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
- Thirty-four (10%) were present at the outset and 47 (14%) at the adjournment of sitting.
- The Parliamentary leader of PkMAP, AMLP, JI and PPPP attended the sitting.
- Three minority members were present.
Output
- The House did not take up the legislative business, standing committees’ reports, motions of thanks and Calling Attention Notices on the agenda.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House did not observe the Question Hour.
Order and Institutionalization
- Three lawmakers spoke on six points of order for six minutes.
- The Opposition lawmakers staged a walkout at 1049 hours for not including FATA Reforms Bill on the agenda. They did not return to the House till adjournment of sitting at 1128 hours.
- An Independent lawmaker pointed out quorum at 1051 hours, subsequently head count was made and the Chair had to suspend the sitting for lack of quorum. The quorum was not found complete on the resumption of proceedings at 1128 hours, and the House had to be adjourned for next sitting on Thursday.
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.