ISLAMABAD, February 27, 2014: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly on Thursday continued debate on distribution of development and local government funds in the province, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet.

Fifteen lawmakers participated in the debate which continued for an hour and 48 minutes. Four lawmakers from PML-N followed by PTI (3), QWP, JI and JUI-F (2 each) and one each from PPPP and ANP took part in the debate.

Sponsored by PTI legislator, the House took up calling attention notice regarding transfer of project director in Mardan Development Authority on short intervals.

Forty-eight (48) members were present at the outset, 32 at the adjournment and maximum 75 at a point during the proceedings.

The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for three hours and 25 minutes. Parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PML-N, QWP and ANP were present.

Following are some key observations of the proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The KP Assembly met for four hours and 55 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1550 hours against scheduled time of 1500 hours, witnessing a delay of 50 minutes.
• The House took two prayer breaks consuming an hour and 10 minutes of the proceedings.
• The Deputy Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for three hours and 25 minutes.
• The Parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PML-N, QWP and ANP were present.
• Forty-eight (48) members were present at the outset, 32 at the adjournment and maximum 75 at a point during the proceedings.
• Three minority members attended the sitting.
• Five members applied for leave.

Representation and Responsiveness:

• Fifteen lawmakers participated in the debate regarding distribution of development and local government funds in the province that continued for an hour and 48 minutes.
• Four lawmakers from PML-N followed by PTI (3), QWP, JI and JUI-F (2 each) and one each from PPPP and ANP took part in the debate.
• Five out of 18 starred questions (requiring written as well as oral answers) on the Orders of the Day were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministries. Additionally, members asked four supplementary questions.
• Sponsored by PTI legislator, the House took up calling attention notice regarding transfer of project director in Mardan Development Authority on short intervals.

Order and Institutionalization

• Lawmakers spoke on three points of order consuming 7 minutes of the proceedings.
• No instance of protest, walkout or boycott was witnessed during 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.

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