ISLAMABAD, September 13, 2013: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2013 was introduced during the fourth sitting of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s fourth session on Friday.

The Speaker chaired the two hours and 40 minutes sitting.  The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the proceedings while the parliamentary leaders of AJIP, QWP, and PPPP were present.

Thirteen starred questions on the agenda were taken up. Additionally, lawmakers asked 14 supplementary questions.

Two Calling Attention Notices on lack of doctors and facilities in Malakand hospitals and 879 vacant posts in the Education Department were taken up.

Five members spoke on an adjournment motion tabled by a PMLN lawmaker on the spread of dengue in Khyber PakhtunKhwa and the lack of medicines, nets, spray etc. to control the situation.

Following are some key observations of the proceedings:

Members Participation in House Proceedings

• The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly met for two hours and 40 minutes.
• The proceedings started at 1532 hours, witnessing a delay of 32 minutes against the scheduled starting time of 1500 hours. The House took a 32-minute prayer break.
• There were 31 legislators at the time of outset and 49 at the end of the sitting. A maximum of 64 members were present at one point during the sitting.
• The Speaker chaired the entire sitting while the Deputy speaker was present.
• The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the proceedings.
• The parliamentary leaders of AJIP, QWP, and PPPP attended the sitting.
• One minority member attended the sitting.
• Two members applied for leave.
  

Output

•  The Law Minister introduced the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2013.
  

Representation and Responsiveness

• Two Calling Attention Notices were taken up on the lack of doctors and facilities in Malakand hospitals and the reported 879 vacant posts, mostly grade 16 and above, in the Education Department.
• Five members spoke for nine minutes on an adjournment motion tabled by a PMLN lawmaker on the spread of dengue in Khyber PakhtunKhwa and the lack of medicines, nets, spray etc. to control the situation.
• Thirteen starred questions on the agenda were answered by the representatives of the ministries. Additionally 14 supplementary questions were asked.  The questions were addressed to the Auqaf, Hujj, Religious and Minority Affairs, Environment, Revenue and Estate, Industries, Commerce and Technical Education and Excise and Taxation Departments.
• A privilege motion moved by a JUIF MPA against the misconduct of a District Education Officer (DEO) was sent to the relevant committee.

Order and Institutionalization

• A point of order consumed four minute of the proceedings.
• No protests, boycotts or walkouts were recorded during the sitting.

Transparency

• The List of Business (agenda) was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information of members’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.

The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of KP Assembly proceedings conducted by PAIMAN a member organization of FAFEN