ISLAMABAD, February 18, 2014: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly debated prevailing security situation in the province and the issue of sexual harassment in University of Peshawar during first sitting of 10^th session on Tuesday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet.

The opposition parties have requisitioned the session to discuss the recent series of terrorist incidents in the war-torn province. A female lawmaker of PPPP and a legislator belonging to ANP pointed out the absence of the Leader of the House while speaking on the issue. The provincial information minister assured the House of the presence of Chief Minister and the concerned official in next sitting.

A PPPP lawmaker moved an adjournment motion to discuss the sexual harassment of female students by male teachers of the University of Peshawar. The House admitted the motion for discussion and 13 lawmakers spoke on the issue for 40 minutes. The chair constituted a six-member parliamentary committee to look into the matter.

The House also took up two calling attention notices (CANs) submitted by QWP lawmakers regarding unregistered vehicles in the province and posting of an officer of lower grade against a high grade post at Chakdara Check Post.

The Chair announced the names of four lawmakers to be included in the panel of chairpersons.

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The KP Assembly met for two hours, taking a prayer break for half an hour.
• The sitting started at 1600 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour.
• The Deputy Speaker chaired the entire sitting while the Speaker was absent.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the proceedings while Leader of the Opposition was present.
• The parliamentary leaders of AJIP, PML, ANP, JUI-F, PML-N, PPPP and QWP attended the proceedings.
• Fifty-eight members were present at the outset, 65 at the adjournment and a maximum 72 at a point during the proceedings.
• Two minority members attended the sitting.
• Seven members applied for leave.

Representation and Responsiveness:

• The opposition parties have requisitioned the session to discuss the recent series of terrorist incidents in the war-torn province. A female lawmaker of PPPP and a legislator belonging to ANP pointed out absence of the Leader of the House while speaking on the issue. The provincial information minister assured the House of the presence of Chief Minister and the concerned official in next sitting.
• A PPPP lawmaker moved an adjournment motion to discuss the sexual harassment of female students by male teachers of the University of Peshawar. The House admitted the motion for discussion and 13 lawmakers spoke on the issue for 40 minutes. The Chair constituted a six-member parliamentary committee to look into the matter.
• The House also took up two calling attention notices (CANs) submitted by QWP lawmakers regarding unregistered vehicles in the province and posting of an officer of lower grade against a high grade post at Chakdara Check Post.

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