ISLAMABAD, December 20, 2017: The quorum issue persisted in the National Assembly on Wednesday as the sitting remained suspended for 52 minutes due to the presence of less than 25 percent lawmakers in the House, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during tenth sitting of the 50th session:
Members’ Participation
- The National Assembly met for an hour and 50 minutes while the proceeding remained suspended for 52 minutes due to lack of quorum.
- The sitting started at 1630 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours.
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for 11 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 attended the sitting for six minutes.
- Forty-five (13%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 54 (16%) at the adjournment of sitting.
- The Parliamentary leader of PkMAP, ANP, NP and PPPP attended the sitting.
- Five minority members were present.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House did not observe the question hour.
- The House took up a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) regarding low gas pressure in Balochistan while another CAN regarding non-compliance of the Petroleum Production and Exploration Policy, 2012 by companies at the Oil and Gas Fields in District Sanghar was not taken up.
Order and Institutionalization
- Ten lawmakers spoke on as many points of order for 44 minutes.
- The lawmakers belonging to PPPP staged a walkout at 1638 hours for not including FATA Reforms Bill on the agenda which was later joined by PTI, MQM and FATA lawmakers. They did not return to the House till adjournment of sitting at 1820 hours.
- An Independent lawmaker pointed out the quorum at 1641 hours which led to the suspension of the proceedings for 52 minutes.
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.