ISLAMABAD, April 30, 2015: The 5^th sitting of the Balochistan Assembly’s ongoing session concluded debate on the proposed change in Kashgar-Gwadar trade route, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its daily factsheet on Thursday.

The Chair admitted and merged two identical adjournments motions (AMs) for discussion on the subject during the first sitting of the ongoing session while debate on it started during the second sitting. Eight lawmakers – PkMAP and PML-N (3 each), JUI-F (2)- debated the issue for 35 minutes.

The sitting was marked by low attendance as 21 lawmakers (32%) were present at the outset while 20 (31%) were there at the adjournment of the sitting.

Seven points of order (POs) consumed 30 minutes (30%) of the proceedings’ time.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Balochistan Assembly met for an hour and 40 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1630 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours.
• 21 lawmakers (32%) were present at the start and 20 (31%) at the end of the sitting.
• A maximum of 30 members (46%) attended the sitting.
• The sitting was chaired by a member of Panel of Chairpersons.
• The Speaker and Deputy Speaker were absent.
• The Leader of the House attended the entire sitting.
• The Opposition Leader was absent.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PML and ANP were present.
• Two minority members attended the sitting.
• Three members applied for leave.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Eight lawmakers – PkMAP and PML-N (3 each), JUI-F (2) – debated the proposed changes in the Kashgar-Gwadar trade route for 35 minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

• Seven points of order consumed 30 minutes of the proceedings.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on legislators’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.

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This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Balochistan Assembly proceedings conducted by Center for Peace and Development (CPD) – a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are excepted.