MQM lawmakers staged walkout against target killings

ISLAMABAD, May 5, 2014: The Federal Judicial Academy (Amendment) Ordinance 2014 was laid in the National Assembly during first sitting of 11^th session on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet.

Starting an hour and 30 minutes behind schedule, the proceedings deliberated upon motion under rule 259 regarding prevailing law and order in the country. Four legislators -PML-N (2) and one each of MQM and PTI- participated in the debate which continued for an hour and 20 minutes.

Sponsored by five PML-N lawmakers, the House took up calling attention notice (CAN) regarding sale of imported eatables containing ingredients of Haram animals.

Following are some key observations of the Parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings:

• The National Assembly met for three hours and 30 minutes.
• The House had a prayer break for 28 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1730 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 30 minutes.
• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and 12 minutes.
• The Parliamentary leaders of MQM, PkMAP, AMLP, JI, JUI-F, PML and QWP were present.
• One-hundred-and-twenty members were present at the outset while 56 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 162 members were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.
• Six minority members attended the sitting.
• Fourteen members applied for leave.

Output

• Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights laid the Federal Judicial Academy (Amendment) Ordinance 2014.
  

Representation and Responsiveness

• Tabled by Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, the House deliberated upon motion under rule 259 regarding prevailing law and order in the country.
• Four legislators -PML-N (2) and one each of MQM and PTI- participated in the debate which continued for an hour and 20 minutes.
• Sponsored by five PML-N lawmakers, the House took up calling attention notice (CAN) regarding sale of imported eatables containing ingredients of Haram animals.

• The relevant ministers responded to fourteen of 35 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). Additionally, lawmakers asked 15 supplementary questions.

Order and Institutionalization

• MQM lawmakers walked out from the House at 1940 hours against the target killing of their party workers. They did not return to the House until the adjournment of the sitting.

Transparency

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

 

This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of FAFEN and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. This Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of the National Assembly proceedings conducted by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI); a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions excepted