ISLAMABAD, August 27, 2013: The National Assembly did not take up any of the 24 agenda items for the tenth sitting of the fourth session on Tuesday.

These agenda items comprised two Calling Attention Notices (CANs), four bills, amendments in the rules of procedure and conduct of business, five resolutions, five motions under Rule 259 and also a motion of thanks on the president’s address to the parliament on June 10, 2013.

The CANs were about the reduction in grants to the University of Karachi and NED University of Technology and the imposition of a 5% income tax on the fees charged by educational institutions.

The bills not introduced in the house were the ICT Local Government Bill 2013, the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2013, the National Database and Registration Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2013, and the Political Parties Order (Amendment) Bill 2013.

The resolutions dealt with finding alternative energy sources to address the energy crisis, steps to control inflation, the establishment of an agricultural university in Sahiwal, steps to regulate and control NGOs working in Islamabad, and carrying out a forensic audit of the Federal Board of Revenue.

The four motions under Rule 259 were about unemployment, performance of the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC), performance of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), problems due to load shedding and the agreement the government made with the IMF to get a $5.3 billion loan.

PTI, AMLP, JI and MQM MNAs staged a token walk out for ten minutes against the law and order situation in the country and the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against ARY News channel for airing footage about the Ziarat Residency incident.

The bulk of the sitting time – 95 minutes – was consumed by 16 Points of Order.

The sitting was chaired by the Deputy Speaker. The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting and the Leader of the Opposition attended the session for one hour and three minutes.

Following are some key observations of the proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The National Assembly met for one hour and 50 minutes.
• The sitting started 40 minutes late at 1110 hours instead of the scheduled start time of 1030 hours.
• Seventy-four MNAs were present at the sitting’s start and 84 at the end. At one point, there were a maximum of 148 MNAs in the House.
• The Deputy Speaker chaired the sitting.
•  The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
• Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for one hour and three minutes.
• Parliamentary leaders of PPPP, MQM, ANP, AMLP, QWP(S) and PTI’s deputy parliamentary leader attended the proceedings.
• Sixteen MNAs applied for leave.
• Six minority MNAs were present.

Output

•  The bills not introduced in the house were the ICT Local Government Bill 2013, the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2013, the National Database and Registration Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2013, and the Political Parties Order (Amendment) Bill 2013.

• The resolutions not tabled in the house dealt with finding alternative energy sources to address the energy crisis, steps to control inflation, the establishment of an agricultural university in Sahiwal, steps to regulate and control NGOs working in Islamabad and carrying out a forensic audit of the FBR

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House did not take up two CANs. These were about the reduction in grants to the University of Karachi and NED University of Technology and the imposition of a 5% income tax on the fees charged by educational institutions.
• The five motions under Rule 259 not taken up were about unemployment, performance of the NTC, performance of the PIA, problems due to load shedding and the agreement the government made with the IMF to get a $5.3 billion loan.

.          A discussion on a Motion of Thanks on the president’s address to both houses on June 10, 2013 was also put off.

Order and Institutionalization

• MNAs spoke on 16 points of order for one hour and 35 minutes.
• PTI, AMLP, JI and MQM MNAs staged a token walk out for ten minutes against the law and order situation in the country and the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against ARY News channel for airing footage about the Ziarat Residency incident.

Transparency

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

Disclaimer: This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of FAFEN and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the National Assembly proceedings conducted by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI); a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions excepted.