ISLAMABAD, December 9, 2014: Starting 58 minutes behind the schedule, the fourth sitting of the Balochistan Assembly’s 15th session witnessed low attendance as 32 members (49%) were present at the start and 25 at the adjournment, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Five members – four belonging to NP and one from PkMAP – debated the motion on deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan for 80 minutes.

The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting, while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 44 minutes.

Following are some of the key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The Balochistan Assembly met for two hours and two minutes.
• The sitting started at 1658 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours, witnessing a delay of 58 minutes.
• Thirty-two members (49%) were present at the start and 25 (38%) at the end of the sitting. A maximum of 35 members were seen at one point of the sitting.
• The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
• The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 44 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, PML-N, JUI-F, ANP, PML and MWM were present.
• Three non-Muslim members attended the sitting.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Five members – four belonging to NP and one from PkMAP – debated a motion on deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan for 80 minutes. The motion was tabled in the first sitting.
• The question hour was not held.

Order and Institutionalization

• No points of order were raised during the entire sitting.
• No protests/walkouts/boycotts were observed.

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.

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This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Balochistan Assembly proceedings conducted by Center for Peace and Development (CPD) – a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are regretted