ISLAMABAD, January 15, 2014: Balochistan Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2014 was introduced during the 2nd sitting of 7th session of Balochistan Assembly on Wednesday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.

Additionally, the House adopted two similar resolutions regarding increasing traffic accidents on Quetta-Zhob-Dera Ismail Khan Highway. The Assembly debated an adjournment motion about law and order in the province for 45 minutes while another adjournment motion on the killing of two children in Qalat was also taken up by the House.

Five out of 12 Starred Questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) appearing on the agenda were taken up while only one was responded to by the relevant minister. Although the minister was present for the Question Hour, the movers of some questions were absent.

As many as 43 MPAs were present at the outset, while 39 were there at the adjournment of the sitting. The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition attended the entire sitting.

Following are some key observations of the proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Balochistan Assembly met for two hours and 16 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1124 hours against the scheduled time of 1100 hours, witnessing a delay of 24 minutes.
• Forty-three members were present at the outset while 39 were there at the adjournment of the sitting.
• The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
• The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition also attended the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-Q, NP, JUI-F and sole member of ANP were present.
• Two members applied for leave.
• Two minority members were present during the sitting.

Output

• The Balochistan Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2014 was introduced by PkMAP MPA.
• The House also adopted two similar resolutions regarding increasing traffic accidents on Quetta-Zhob-Dera Ismail Khan Highway. One resolution was sponsored by PML MPA while the other by PkMAP MPAs.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The Assembly continued debate on an adjournment motion about law and order in the province for 45 minutes while another adjournment motion sponsored by JUI-F lawmaker on killing of two children in Qalat was also taken up by the House.

• Five of 12 Starred Questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) appearing on the agenda were taken up while only one was responded to by the relevant minister.

Order and Institutionalization

• There was no point of order raised by members during the proceedings.
• No instance of protest, walkout or boycott was witnessed during the sitting.

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.