• Resolution adopted to increase Literacy Rate

ISLAMABAD, September 8, 2014: Starting 50 minutes behind schedule, the fifth sitting of the ongoing Joint Session of the Parliament on Monday witnessed low attendance as 107 legislators were present at outset while 102 at the adjournment of the sitting, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Continuing debate on a motion under Rule 259 about the prevailing political situation in the country, three legislators – one each from PPPP, MQM and an Independent – spoke for an hour and 44 minutes.

The Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution demanding the federal government and provincial governments use all available resources for increasing Literacy Rate in Pakistan.

The Prime Minister attended the sitting for 43 minutes while, his counterpart, the Leader of the Opposition, attended the entire sitting.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The joint sitting lasted two hours and 39 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1750 hours against the scheduled time of 1700 hours, witnessing a delay of 50 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the entire sitting. The Deputy Speaker was also present. The Chairman Senate and the Deputy Chairman Senate did not attend the sitting.
• The Prime Minister attended the sitting for 43 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition in NA attended the entire sitting. The Leader of the House in Senate attended the entire sitting while the Leader of the Opposition in Senate remained present for two hours and 28 minutes.
• A total of 107 legislators (24% of the total membership of 446 – 342 in NA and 104 in Senate) were present at the outset of the sitting while 102 (23%) at the adjournment. A maximum of 186 members (42%) were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
• The NA parliamentary leaders of JUI-F, PML-Z, APML, JI and ANP attended the sitting.  Similarly, Senate’s parliamentary leaders of ANP, MQM, PML-F and NP were also present.

Output               

• Sponsored by the Federal Minister for Planning and Development, the Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution demanding the federal government and provincial governments use all available resources for increasing Literacy Rate in Pakistan.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Three legislators – one each from PPPP, MQM and an Independent lawmaker – spoke for an hour and 44 minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

• Ten Points of Order consumed 21 minutes of the sitting time. However, none of the Points of Order attracted the Chair’s formal ruling.
• There was no instance of protest, boycott or walkout.

Transparency

• Information on members’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.

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This publication has been prepared 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 Parliament proceedings conducted by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI); a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions excepted.