ISLAMABAD, May 12, 2017: The Sindh Assembly adopted a resolution on Friday condemning the loss of lives in armed riots in Karachi on this day in 2007, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during 14th sitting of 32nd session:
Members’ Participation
- The Sindh Assembly met for two hours and 40 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1140 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours.
- The proceedings remained suspended for three minutes due to Azaan break.
- The Deputy Speaker presided over the proceedings for two hours and 13 minutes while rest of the proceedings was chaired by a member of Panel of Chairpersons.
- The Speaker and the Leader of the House (Chief Minister) were not present.
- The Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and 32 minutes.
- Thirty-five lawmakers (21%) were present at the outset and 46 (28%) at the adjournment of sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, MQM and PTI attended the proceedings.
- Five minority members were present.
- Four members applied for leave.
Output
- Moved by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, the House adopted a supplementary resolution to condemn the loss of lives in armed riots in Karachi on May 12, 2007.
- The House did not take up the Z.A. Bhutto Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Bill, 2017 and the Sukkur IBA University Bill, 2017.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House took up five out of eight Starred Questions which were responded to by the relevant minister. The lawmakers also asked 10 Supplementary Questions.
- The House took up four Call Attention Notices (CANs) regarding high-rise buildings in Karachi; delay in Blue Line Bus Project in Karachi; spread of epidemic disease in a village at Mirpur Sakro and deteriorated condition of Barkat Bhayee Park in Hyderabad. The relevant ministers made statement on these issues.
- Another CAN about absence of laboratory in Sindh for testing Chikungunya was not taken up due to absence of the mover.
Order and Institutionalization
- The lawmakers spoke on five Points of Order consuming 25 minutes of the proceedings.
- The opposition lawmakers protested against the Chair twice on floor of the House consuming three minutes. They complained that the Chair did not allow one of their colleagues to speak on a point of order.
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 Sindh Assembly proceedings conducted by Pakistan Press Foundation, a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are excepted.