ISLAMABAD, June 14, 2012: Starting an hour and 15 minutes behind schedule, the fourth sitting of Sindh Assembly’s 36^th session met for three hours and 20 minutes on Thursday, witnessing a walkout by MQM.

MQM legislators staged a three-minute token walkout against the killings at Shershah Market in Karachi.

Eight MPAs – from the PPPP and three from MQM – debated the budget for 103 minutes (52% of the sitting time). Five out of 22 questions appearing on the Agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministries. Additionally, 30 supplementary questions were also asked.

The sitting also witnessed low attendance as only 14 Members were present at the outset and 70 were there when it was adjourned. The Chief Minister attended the sitting for an hour and 10 minutes.

The following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Sindh Assembly met for three hours and 20 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1105 hours instead of the scheduled starting time of 0930 hours. The proceedings were delayed by an hour and 35 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting.
• The Chief Minister attended the sitting for an hour and 10 minutes.
• All the parliamentary leaders were present.
• Fourteen (8% of 166) Members were present at the start while 70 (42%) were there when the sitting was adjourned. 
• Five minority Members were present during the proceedings.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Five out of 22 questions appearing on the Agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministries. Additionally, 30 supplementary questions were also asked.

Output

• Eight MPAs – five PPPP and three MQM – debated the budget for 103 minutes (52% of the sitting time).

Order and Institutionalization

• Six Points of Order consumed 13 minutes of the sitting time. However none of the Points of Order attracted the Chair’s formal ruling.
• The MQM staged a three-minute token walkout against the killings at Shershah Market in Karachi

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