ISLAMABAD, March 25, 2014: The Sindh Assembly discussed a motion regarding the situation in Tharparkar on Tuesday during third sitting of 12^th session, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Seventeen lawmakers, including six of MQM, five of PPPP and two each of PTI, PML-F and PML-N, spoke on the motion while the Chief Minister concluded the debate. The House consumed three hours on the discussion. The Chair relaxed the rules to hold debate on the issue without taking up any other agenda item.

The provincial information minister responded to all six starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). The lawmakers asked 36 supplementary questions, as well.

The lawmakers also raised five points of order, consuming ten minutes of the proceedings.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Sindh Assembly met for four hours and 30 minutes, taking a three-minute Azan break.
• The sitting started at 1110 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 10 minutes.
• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting except for an hour chaired by the Deputy Speaker.
• The Chief Minister was present for two hours and 50 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for an hour and 10 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, PTI, PML-F and MQM attended the sitting.
• Forty-two members were present at the outset while 99 at the adjournment. A maximum of 105 members were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
• Seven minority members attended the sitting.
• No member applied for leave.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The Sindh Assembly discussed a motion regarding the situation in Tharparkar. Seventeen lawmakers, including six of MQM, five of PPPP and two each of PTI, PML-F and PML-N, spoke on the motion while the Chief Minister concluded the debate. The House consumed three hours on the discussion. The Chair relaxed the rules to hold debate without taking up any other agenda item.
• The provincial information minister responded to all six starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). The lawmakers asked 36 supplementary questions as well.
  

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers raised five points of order, consuming ten minutes of 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