ISLAMABAD, April 9, 2015: Starting 75 minutes behind schedule, the fourth joint sitting of the Parliament witnessed low attendance of lawmakers as the House continued the debate on the Yemen crisis, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

A total of 108 legislators (24%) were present at start of the sitting and 53 (12%) at the time of adjournment. Twelve legislators – three from PML-N, one each belonging to PPPP, QWP, PTI, BNP-A, PML-F, AMLP, PkMAP, JI and an independent lawmaker – spoke on Yemen crisis for two hours and 40 minutes (73% of the proceedings’ time).

The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting, while the National Assembly’s Opposition Leader was present for nearly the entire sitting. The Senate Chairman and Deputy Chairman were not present. Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The sitting lasted three hours and 40 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1715 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours.
• The House observed a prayer break for 34 minutes.
• The National Assembly Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
• The Deputy Speaker was present for 14 minutes.
• The Senate Chairman and Deputy Chairman were not present.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The National Assembly’s Opposition Leader attended the sitting for three hours and 34 minutes.
• The Leader of the House in the Senate was present for 92 minutes.
• The Opposition Leader in the Senate attended the sitting for 82 minutes.
• 108 lawmakers (24%) were present at the start and 53 (12%) at the end of the sitting.
• A maximum of 252 parliamentarians (57%) attended the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-F, AMLP, JUI-F, APML, ANP, QWP, JI, PML-Z and PkMAP in the National Assembly were present.
• Six minority lawmakers attended the proceedings.
• Twenty legislators applied for leave.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House continued its debate on the Yemen crisis.
• Twelve legislators – three from PML-N, one each belonging to PPPP, QWP, PTI, BNP-A, PML-F, AMLP, PkMAP, JI and an independent lawmaker – spoke on Yemen crisis for two hours and 40 minutes.

Transparency

• Information on members’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.

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 This publication has been prepared with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of FAFEN and in no way reflect the views of the European Union. This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the parliamentary proceedings conducted by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) – a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are excepted.