ISLAMABAD, February 12, 2015: The National Assembly left its entire agenda unaddressed as points of order (POs) consumed 60% of the sitting on Thursday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). The agenda included two calling attention notices (CANs) regarding the “dubious” bidding process for the contract of Muzaffarabad-Pir Chinasi road and visa free entry…
ISLAMABAD, February 11, 2015: Starting 25 minutes behind the schedule, the seventh sitting of the National Assembly’s 18th session was marked by low attendance of lawmakers and a joint boycott against increase in GST on petroleum products. Thirty-eight (11%) lawmakers were present at the start of the sitting and 75 (22%) at the time of…
ISLAMABAD, February 10, 2015: The National Assembly left 61% of the agenda items unaddressed on Tuesday as the sitting was adjourned due to lack of quorum amid boycott against increase in GST on petroleum products and other commodities. Fifty-one (15%) lawmakers were present at the start of the sitting and 42 (12%) at the time…
ISLAMABAD, February 9, 2015: Starting 47 minutes behind the schedule, the fifth sitting of the National Assembly’s ongoing 18th session was marked by low attendance of lawmakers and a joint walkout against increase in GST on petroleum products. Only 45 (13%) lawmakers were present at the start of the sitting and 70 (20%) at the…
ISLAMABAD, February 6, 2015: The National Assembly continued to witness low attendance on Friday as only 27 (8%) lawmakers were present at the start and 18 (5%) at the end of the fourth sitting of the ongoing session. The quorum was visibly lacking during the entire sitting. However, it was not pointed out by any…
ISLAMABAD, February 4, 2015: Starting 27 minutes behind the schedule, the third sitting of the National Assembly’s 18th session continued to witness low attendance of lawmakers. The House unanimously adopted a resolution to express solidarity with people in Kashmir and demanded the United Nations and international community to play its role in resolving the dispute…
ISLAMABAD, February 3, 2015: Starting 28 minutes behind the schedule, the second sitting of the National Assembly’s 18th session was marked by a debate on the recent petrol crisis amid low attendance of lawmakers, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Only 68 members (20%) were present at the start of the sitting and 49…
ISLAMABAD, February 2, 2015: Starting 40 minutes behind the schedule, the first sitting of the National Assembly’s 18th session was marked by low attendance of lawmakers and unanimous adoption of a resolution to condemn the bomb blast in Shikarpur on Friday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Only 80 members (23%) were present at…
ISLAMABAD, January 20, 2015: Low attendance, lack of quorum and excessive use of points of order marked the 17th session of the National Assembly amid the passage of the Constitution (21st Amendment) Bill 2015 and the Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2015. The legislators consumed two hours and 54 minutes (10%) to debate the bills while…
ISLAMABAD, January 16, 2015: Starting 19 minutes behind the schedule, the 13th (last) sitting of the National Assembly’s 17th session witnessed the introduction of two bills and passage of a resolution amid low attendance, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Fifty-one lawmakers (15%) were present at the start of the sitting and 48…