ISLAMABAD, March 7, 2017: The Provincial Assembly of Sindh on Tuesday adopted two resolutions amid low attendance of lawmakers, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Following are key observations of the proceedings during second sitting of the 30th session:
Members’ Participation
- The Sindh Assembly met for three hours and 20 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1100 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours.
- The proceedings remain suspended for three minutes due to Azan break.
- The Speaker presided over the proceedings for two hours and 46 minutes while rest of the proceedings was chaired by a Member of Panel of Chairpersons.
- The Deputy Speaker, Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition were absent.
- Fifty-six lawmakers (33%) were present at the start and 47 (28%) at the adjournment of sitting.
- The Parliamentary leaders of PPPP, MQM, PML-F, PML-N and PTI were present.
- Six minority members also attended the sitting.
- Ten members applied for leave.
Output
- The House adopted two resolutions demanding K-Electric to use Time of Usage (ToU) metering and billing system and for mechanism to stop dumping of sewerage water into the sea.
- The House rejected two other resolutions appearing on the agenda while a resolution was withdrawn by its mover.
- The House left 23 motions unaddressed seeking amendments to the Rules of Procedure.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Four Starred Questions were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministers. The lawmakers also asked 17 Supplementary Questions.
- Five Private Motions on various issues that appeared on the agenda were not taken up by the House.
Order and Institutionalization
- Two lawmakers – one each of MQM and PTI – jointly staged a protest for five minutes against the attitude of Chair who did not give them floor to raise point of orders.
- An MQM lawmaker protested for six minutes for not including his agenda item in the list of business.
- The entire opposition staged a protest for 20 minutes and also a token walkout against the government for opposing a resolution tabled by PML-F lawmaker.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- Attendance of lawmakers was not available on website of the Assembly.
This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Sindh Assembly proceedings, conducted by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) – a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are excepted.