ISLAMABAD, March 21, 2014: The sitting of Sindh Assembly was adjourned soon after lawmakers offered dua (prayers) for the departed soul of PPPP legislator, during the first sitting of 12th session on Friday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Forty-eight lawmakers prayed for the deceased lawmaker, Altaf Hussain Unnar, who passed away on March 6, 2014. The House also offered prayers for the victims of famine in Thar, extra-judicially killed workers of MQM and victory of Pakistan against India in cricket match being played today. The members also condemned the murder of JSQM chief’s brother.
The House carried a motion, moved by the minister for parliamentary affairs, to adjourn the sitting without any further business.
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:
- The Sindh Assembly met for 45 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1125 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 25 minutes.
- The Speaker presided over the entire sitting while the Deputy Speaker was absent.
- The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 40 minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, PTI, PML-F and MQM attended the sitting.
- Eighty-one members were present at the outset while 100 at the adjournment. A maximum of 103 members were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
- Four minority members attended the sitting.
- No member applied for leave.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Forty-eight lawmakers prayed for the deceased legislator Altaf Hussain Unnar, victims of famine in Thar, extra-judicially killed workers of MQM, and victory of Pakistan against India in cricket match being held today. The members also condemned the killing of the brother of JSQM chief.
- Moved by the minister for parliamentary affairs, the House carried a motion to adjourn the sitting without any further business.
Order and Institutionalization
- There was no instance of walkout, protest or boycott during 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