ISLAMABAD, October 7, 2013: The Balochistan Assembly adopted four resolutions as the House debated the increase in the electricity and petroleum prices during the fifth sitting of the sixth session on Monday.

The adopted resolutions called upon the government to prepare computerized birth certificates to stop misuse of Balochistan domicile by outsiders, rename the 1000-km Balochistan coastal area as Balochistan Sea, take necessary steps to eradicate polio, and provide Sui gas to Tehsil Mangucher.

The PkMAP lawmakers moved an adjournment motion on the “vendetta waged by the Zarai Taraqiati Bank on landowners” in the province. Additionally the House held a two-hour debate on an adjournment motion on the increase in the electricity and petroleum prices.

The Speaker presided over 58 minutes of the sitting while the remaining time was chaired by a member of Panel of Chairpersons. The Chief Minister and the parliamentary leaders of PML (opposition and government), NP and MWM were present. The Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Balochistan Assembly met for three hours and four minutes.
• The sitting started at 1136 hours against the scheduled start time of 1100 hours, witnessing a delay of 36 minutes.
• There were a maximum of 37 Members at the beginning and 17 when the sitting was adjourned.
• The Speaker presided over 58 minutes of the sitting whereas the remaining time was chaired by a member of Panel of Chairpersons.
• The Chief Minister attended the sitting for two hours and 35 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the proceedings.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML (opposition and government), NP and MWM were present.
• One Member applied for leave.
• Three minority Members attended the sitting.

Representation and Responsiveness

• All four joint resolutions on the orders of the day were adopted. These called upon the government to prepare computerized birth certificate to stop misuse of Balochistan domicile by outsiders, renaming of 1000-km Balochistan coastal area as Balochistan Sea, eradication of polio in the province and the provision of Sui gas to Tehsil Mangucher.
• An adjournment motion, sponsored by PkMAP MPAs on the Zarai Taraqiati Bank’s “vendetta against landowners in the province” was presented. Additionally the House held a two-hour debate on an adjournment motion on petroleum and electricity price hike.

Order and Institutionalization

• Lawmakers spoke on two points of order consuming 10 minutes of the proceedings.
• No incidents of protests/walkouts/boycotts were observed.

Transparency

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