ISLAMABAD, June 15, 2015: The National Assembly adopted a resolution on Monday to extend the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Ordinance 2015 for a period of 120 days, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Twenty-six members (8% of the membership) were present at the start of the sitting and 33 (10%) at the time of adjournment. The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting, while the Opposition Leader was present for 32% of the proceedings’ time.

MQM lawmakers protested against the resolution and later walked out of the House following an exchange of hot words with the Defense Minister.

Eighteen lawmakers participated in the debate on Federal Budget 2015-16 for two hours and 52 minutes.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings:

• The National Assembly met for four hours and 24 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1605 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours.
• The House observed two prayer breaks for 46 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for 145 minutes.
• The remaining time was presided over by the Deputy Speaker.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The Opposition Leader was present for 84 minutes.
• The Finance Minister was present for 40 minutes.
• 26 members (8%) were present at the start and 33 (10%) at the time of adjournment.
• A maximum of 156 members (46%) were present at one point of the sitting.
• The Parliamentary leaders of APML, MQM, JI, QWP, and ANP attended the sitting.
• Seven minority members were present during the sitting.
• Twelve members applied for leave.

Output

• National Assembly adopted a resolution on Monday to extend the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Ordinance 2015 for a period of 120 days.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Eighteen lawmakers participated in the debate on Federal Budget 2015-16 for two hours and 52 minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

• Fifteen points of order consumed 24 minutes of the sitting.
• MQM lawmakers walked out the House at 1900 hours against the resolution and did not return till the sitting’s adjournment.

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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The daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the National Assembly proceedings conducted by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) – a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are excepted.