ISLAMABAD, May 2, 2017: Starting 66 minutes behind the schedule, the Sindh Assembly passed four resolutions and left five private motions as well as 23 motions to amend Assembly rules unaddressed on Tuesday, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during 10th sitting of 32nd session:
Members’ Participation
- The Sindh Assembly met for three hours.
- The sitting started at 1506 hours against the scheduled time of 1400 hours.
- The proceedings were suspended for three minutes due to Azaan (call for prayer) break.
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for an hour and 55 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired rest of the proceedings.
- The Leader of the House (Chief Minister) was not present while Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for two hours.
- Thirty-nine lawmakers (24%) were present at the outset and 45 (27%) at the adjournment of sitting.
- The Parliamentary leaders of PPPP, MQM, PML-F and PTI attended the proceedings.
- Five minority members were present.
- Eight members applied for leave.
Output
- The House passed four resolutions sponsored by MQM (2), PTI and PML-N (one each) lawmakers. The adopted resolutions were about illegal allotments of quarters in Karachi, poor customer services by HESCO, “irresponsive and misguiding attitude of PTI Chairperson” and seeking ban on ostentatious display and wasteful expenses on marriages within the province.
- The House rejected a resolution tabled by MQM lawmakers regarding upgradation of filtration plants to cope with shortage of drinking water.
- The House left five private motions as well as 23 motions to amend the Assembly rules unaddressed.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The House took up all six Starred Questions, which were responded to by the relevant minister. The lawmakers asked 31 Supplementary Questions.
- MQM lawmaker withdrew his Adjournment Motion after getting assurance from the minister.
Order and Institutionalization
- A lawmaker spoke on a Point of Order, consuming two minutes of the proceedings.
- MQM lawmaker protested for two minutes for not getting permission to speak on a resolution.
- Lawmakers belonging to PTI staged protest for four minutes against MQM lawmaker for passing unwarranted remarks against their party chief.
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.