KP Assembly Adopts Three Resolutions amid Low Attendance

ISLAMABAD, October 6, 2015: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly adopted three resolutions amid low attendance of lawmakers during the 64th sitting of 15th session on Tuesday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The sitting started at the scheduled time of 1500 hours with 18 lawmakers (15%) present at the start and 40 (32%) at the time of adjournment. The House did not take up the KP Health Foundation Bill, 2015 despite it being on the agenda.

The House adopted three resolutions to commemorate the attack on Army Public School on December 16 every year, raise pay scale and salaries of primary school teachers in light of their qualification and refuse any attempt to change route of Pak-China Economic Corridor.

Following are some key observations of the assembly proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

  • The KP Assembly met for three hours and 15 minutes.
  • The sitting started at the scheduled time of 1500 hours.
  • The House had a prayer break for 15 minutes.
  • Eighteen lawmakers (15%) were present at the start and 40 (32%) at the end of the sitting.
  • A maximum of 45 (36%) members attended the sitting.
  • A member of panel of chairperson presided over the entire sitting.
  • The Chief Minister and the Opposition Leader did not attend the sitting.
  • Only Parliamentary leaders of QWP attended the sitting.
  • One minority member attended the sitting.
  • Eight members applied for leave.

Output

  • The House adopted three resolutions to commemorate the attack on Army Public School on December 16 every year, raise pay scale and salaries of primary school teachers in light of their qualification and refuse any attempt to change route of Pak-China Economic Corridor.
  • One of the resolution regarding issues with transporters was forwarded to relevant committee for recommendations on it.

Representation and Responsiveness

  • All four questions appearing on the agenda were taken up and responded by the relevant ministers.
  • The House took up two calling attention notice (CANs) regarding health and education infrastructure in the province and non-construction of Girls College at Shabe Qadar despite allocation of funds for the purpose.

Order and Institutionalization

  • The Opposition lawmakers walked out for 15 minutes against ministerial absence from the House.
  • A JUI-F lawmaker pointed out the quorum at 1510 hours which led to the adjournment of the sitting for 33 minutes.

Transparency

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

To download the factsheet, click here


This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the KP Assembly proceedings conducted by Untied Rural Development Organization (URDO) – a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are excepted.