ISLAMABAD, February 10, 2014: More than two-third of the sitting agenda was left unaddressed due to the walkout of MQM members during fourth sitting of the ongoing session of Sindh Assembly on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.
Four starred questions, a privilege motion, an adjournment motion and four calling attention notices (CANs) could not be taken up as the lawmakers, who sponsored these agenda items, walked out from the House against the alleged torture on a MQM worker.
The House passed two bills namely the NIBD Post Graduate Institute of Life Sciences Bill, 2014 and the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board Bill, 2013.
Moreover, the House also adopted three resolutions that were not included in the regular agenda. Two of the resolutions were sponsored by PPPP lawmakers and one by PTI legislator.
A resolution congratulated PPPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for successfully organizing Sindh Festival and promoting the culture of the province. Another resolution paid tributes to the polio workers and recommended the federal government to honour them with highest civil award.
The House also adopted a resolution moved by PTI lawmaker condemning the attacks on polio workers in Qayyumabad Karachi. This resolution was initially moved in first sitting of the ongoing session but was deferred amidst uproar in the House.
Only one of the five starred questions (requiring oral as well as written reply) was taken up while members asked 9 supplementary questions as well. The provincial minister for housing and works was present to answer the questions.
Protesting against the alleged police torture on a MQM worker on his wedding day, the members belonging to the party walked out from the House 45 minutes after the start of proceedings and did not return till end.
The lawmakers spoke on 13 points of order consuming 38 minutes of the proceedings. The issues included torture on MQM workers, inefficiency of schools in Tharparkar and need for playing National anthem in the House.
Following are some key observations of the proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:
- The Sindh Assembly met for two hours and 45 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1155 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 55 minutes.
- The House took a prayer break for three minutes.
- The Speaker presided over the entire sitting while Deputy Speaker was also present.
- The Leader of the Opposition attended the proceedings for 35 minutes while the Chief Minister was absent.
- The Parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PML-N, MQM, PML-F and PTI were present.
- Fifty-six members were present at the outset while 50 were there at the adjournment of the sitting. A maximum of 92 members were observed to be present at a point during the sitting.
- Five minority members attended the sitting.
- Three members applied for leave.
Output
- The House passed two bills namely the NIBD Post Graduate Institute of Life Sciences Bill, 2014 and the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board Bill, 2013.
- The House also adopted three resolutions that were not included in the regular agenda. Two of the resolutions were sponsored by PPPP lawmakers and one by PTI legislator. The first resolution congratulated PPPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for successfully organizing Sindh Festival and promoting the culture of the province. Another resolution paid tributes to the polio workers and recommended the federal government to honour them with highest civil award. A resolution moved by PTI lawmaker condemning the attacks on polio workers in Qayyumabad Karachi was also adopted.
Representation and Responsiveness
- One of the five starred questions (requiring oral as well as written reply) was taken up while members asked 9 supplementary questions as well. The provincial minister for housing and works was present to answer the questions.
Order and Institutionalization
- Legislators raised 13 points of order consuming 38 minutes of the proceedings.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
- Information on members’ attendance was available to observers and the public.
The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Sindh Assembly proceedings conducted by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), a member organization of FAFEN