ISLAMABAD, November 14, 2017: The Sindh Assembly on Tuesday adopted three Private Members’ resolutions and witnessed the introduction of prohibition of Gutka and Mainpuri bill, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the House proceedings during 10th sitting of the 36th session:
Members’ Participation
- The Sindh Assembly met for two hours and 42 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1138 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours.
- The Deputy Speaker presided over the entire sitting in the absence of the Speaker.
- The Leader of the House (Chief Minister) did not attend the sitting.
- The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for an hour and 28 minutes.
- As many as 30 (18%) lawmakers were present at the outset and 48 (29%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PML-N, PML-F, PTI and MQM attended the sitting.
- Four minority members attended the sitting.
- Two members applied for leave.
Output
- The House adopted three resolutions offering condolence on the loss of lives in Iran-Iraq earthquake, appoint lady teachers in primary schools and begin sugarcane crushing in the province of Sindh as soon as possible.
- The resolution on making laws for protection of domestic workers, including women, was referred to the Standing Committee on Labour.
- Two other resolutions on the agenda were not taken up regarding the removal of untangled cable wires in Karachi and establishing printing presses to cater the needs of visually impaired individuals.
- A PPPP lawmaker introduced the Sindh Prohibition on Manufacture, Promotion and Sale of Gutka and Mainpuri Bill, 2017.
- The House did not consider five private motions and amendment in rules of procedure as contemplated by sub-rule 4(a) of Rule 267.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House took up five out of eight Starred Questions for answers during the proceedings. The lawmakers raised 28 supplementary questions as well.
- The Chair did not admit an adjournment motion of PML-F lawmaker after being opposed by the government. It was regarding the delay in sugar cane crushing season in Sindh.
- Two lawmakers spoke on as many points of public importance regarding sale of medicines at higher rates and lack of facilities at Children Ward of Dr. Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital.
Order and Institutionalization
- PML-F, PML-N and PTI lawmakers protested for two minutes for not letting the debate begin on the issue of sugarcane crushing season.
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 Sindh Assembly proceedings conducted by Pakistan Press Foundation, a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are excepted.