ISLAMABAD, June 18, 2012: Starting an hour and 40 minutes behind schedule, the sixth sitting of Sindh Assembly’s 36^th session, which met for an hour and 50 minutes on Monday, continued debate on budget.

Five MPAs – three PPPP and one each of MQM and PML (F-B) – debated the budget for 50 minutes (45% of the sitting time). The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting.

At least 31 Members offered condolences on the death of MNA Fauzia Wahab, consuming 22 minutes.

Five out of seven questions appearing on the Agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministries. Additionally, 17 supplementary questions were also asked.

The following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Sindh Assembly met for an hour and 50 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1110 hours instead of the scheduled starting time of 0930 hours. The proceedings were delayed by an hour and 40 minutes.
• The Deputy Speaker chaired the sitting for 25 minutes while the remaining time was presided over by a Member of Panel of Chairpersons.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of the PPPP, NPP, MQM, and PML (F-B) were present.
• Nineteen (11% of 166) Members were present at the start while 45 (27%) were there when the sitting was adjourned.
• Four minority Members were present during the proceedings.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Five out of seven questions appearing on the Agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministries. Additionally, 17 supplementary questions were also asked.

Output

• Five MPAs – three PPPP and one each of MQM and PML (F-B) – debated the budget for 50 minutes (45% of the sitting time).

Order and Institutionalization

• One Point of Order consumed two minutes of the sitting time.
• At least 31 Members offered condolences on the death of MNA Fauzia Wahab, consuming 22 minutes.
• There were no instances of protest, boycotts or walkouts.

Transparency

• Orders of the Day were available to legislators, observers and others.
• Information about Members’ attendance was unavailable to observers and the public.

The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Sindh Assembly proceedings conducted by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), a member organization of FAFEN