ISLAMABAD, April 19, 2019: The Provincial Assembly of Sindh continued discussion on an adjournment motion about rolling back of the 18th Constitutional Amendment by the federal government, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daly Factsheet on Friday.
Following are key observations of the House proceedings during 38th sitting of the fourth session:
Members’ Participation
- The House met for two hours and 47 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1615 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for an hour and 39 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the rest of the sitting.
- The Leader of the House attended the sitting for an hour and 30 minutes.
- The Leader of the Opposition was not present.
- As many as 57 lawmakers (34%) were present at the commencement and 31 (18%) at the adjournment of sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, TLP and MMAP attended the sitting.
- As many as seven out of nine minority lawmakers attended the sitting.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Sponsored by a PPPP lawmaker, the House continued discussion on an adjournment motion about reports of rolling back the 18th Constitutional Amendment by the Federal Government. Eight lawmakers including seven from PPPP and one of MMAP debated it for an hour and 11 minutes.
- Another adjournment motion sponsored by a PTI lawmaker was lapsed due to his absence. It was regarding irregularities pointed out by the Auditor General in the Provincial Government’s Account over the last 9 years.
- The Ministers for Revenue & Relief Department answered all four starred questions. In addition, the lawmakers asked 21 supplementary questions.
- The Ministers responded to three Call Attention Notices (CANs) about land grabbing activities in Karachi West (PS-122), acute water shortage in Karachi East (PS-106) and an agreement with an organization for training of teachers.
- Two other CANs about cheating practices during matric and intermediate exams and closure of two roads in Korangi Karachi (PS-98) were not taken up due to absence of their movers.
Order and Institutionalization
- Minister for Local Government spoke on a point of personal explanation for two minutes.
- Lawmakers belonging to PTI, GDA and MQMP staged protest on floor of the House for seven against remarks of Minister for Local Government about relative of a PTI lawmaker. Later, they walked out from the proceedings at 1737 hours and did not return till adjournment of sitting.
- The House was adjourned to meet again on April 22, 2019 (Monday) at 1300 hours.
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 Assembly proceedings conducted by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are excepted