ISLAMABAD, July 29, 2013: The Balochistan Assembly, during the first sitting of its fourth session on Monday, adopted two motions in order to allow the use of the Chamber of the assembly for polling of the election of the President of Pakistan, to be held on 30^th July, 2013.

The sitting was Chaired by the Speaker in the presence of the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. The parliamentary leaders of JUI, NP and PML were also present in the proceedings.

An NP legislator boycotted the inaction of The Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) on Load shedding in Makran and Panjgoor Division. The MPA was persuaded to return seven minutes later.

Lawmakers spoke on 15 Points of Order mostly to condemn the wide spread terrorism and targeted killings  in the province and offered fatiha for the victims.

Following are some key observations of the proceedings:

Members’ participation in House proceedings

• The Balochistan Assembly met for two hours and 10 minutes.
• The sitting started at  1610 hours against the scheduled starting time of  1600 hours, witnessing the delay of  10 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
• The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition also attended the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of ANP, PMLN, BNP and LMG were absent.
• As many as  37 members (a maximum) were present at the outset while 35 were there at the time of adjournment.
• Three minority members attended the sitting.
• None of the members applied for leave.
• A female MPA took oath which was administered by the Speaker.

Representation and Responsiveness

• A PMLN minority member moved two motions to seek permission of the house to allow the use of Assembly Chamber as a polling station for the presidential elections scheduled on July 30, 2013. Both motions were adopted by the assembly.

Order and Institutionalization

• MPAs raised 15 Points of Order consuming nine minutes of the proceedings.

• An NP legislator boycotted the proceedings on the inaction of The Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) against Load sheddding in Makran and Panjgoor Division. The MPA was persuaded to return seven minutes after of his boycott.

Transparency

• List of Business 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.