ISLAMABAD, June 24, 2013: As many as 15 MPAs took part in general discussion on annual budget for the year 2013-14 in the third session of the Balochistan Assembly’s second session. They shared their views for three hours and 25 minutes. Starting 14 minutes late, the sitting lasted five hours and 12 minutes.

Seven members of PMAP debated the budget for two hours and six minutes, four NP MPAs for 41 minutes, two of JUIF for 22 minutes, and one each of ANP and PMLN for 11 and five minutes respectively.

The sitting was marked by low attendance as 24 members were present at the outset while 27 were there at the time of adjournment. A maximum of 35 members were present at one point of sitting.

Following are some key observations of the proceedings:

Members’ participation in House proceedings

• The Balochistan Assembly met for five hour and 12 minutes. The House took a break of an hour and 14 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1114 hours against the scheduled starting time of 1100 hours, witnessing a delay of 14 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for 55 minutes while the rest of the proceedigns were chaired by a member of the Panel of the Chairpersons. The Deputy Speaker was not present.
• The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition attended the entire sitting.
• The Finance Minister attended the entire proceedings.
• As many as 24 members were present at the outset while 27 were there at the time of adjournment. A maximum of 35 members were present at one point of sitting.
• Two minority members attended the sitting.
• One member applied for leave.
  

Representation and Responsiveness

• As many as 15 members – seven of PMAP, four of NP, two of JUIF, and one each of ANP and PMLN – took part in general discussion on the annual budget for the year 2013-14. They discussed the budget for three hours and 25 minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

• No Points of order were raised during the sitting.
• No protest, walkout, or boycott observed during the sitting.

Transparency

• List of Business (agenda) was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on members’ attendance was unavailable to observers and the public.

 

The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Balochistan Assembly proceedings conducted by Center for Peace and Development (CPD), a Member organization of FAFEN.