ISLAMABAD, October 27, 2014: Starting 54 minutes behind the schedule, the National Assembly adopted two resolutions while points of order consumed 49% time of the 5^th sitting of 15^th session on Monday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Tabled by the Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, the House unanimously adopted a resolution to continue political, moral and diplomatic support to the struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their right to self-determination as per the UN resolutions. The House also adopted another resolution to condemn a recent terrorist attack on the rally of the JUI-F chief in Quetta. It was tabled by the State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs.

The Minister for Science and Technology laid the annual report of the Federal Accounts for 2012-2013 and the reports of the Auditor General for 2013-2014. Sponsored by five MQM lawmakers, the House took up a calling attention notice (CAN) regarding power outages and overbilling. Fourteen points of order consumed 100 minutes (49%) of the proceedings’ time. A newly-elected independent lawmaker from NA-149 (Multan-II) took oath.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings:

• The National Assembly met for three hours and 24 minutes.
• The sitting began at 1654 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours witnessing a delay of 54 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for 35 minutes while the Deputy Speaker presided over the rest of the proceedings.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and 20 minutes.
• Sixty-seven lawmakers (19%) were present at the outset and 70 (20%) at the adjournment while a maximum of 113 members (33%) were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of QWP, BNP-A, MQM, JI, PML-Z, APML and ANP attended the sitting.
• Seven minority members attended the sitting.
• Sixteen lawmakers applied for leave.

Output

• Tabled by the Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, the House adopted a resolution to continue political, moral and diplomatic support to the struggle of people of Jammu and Kashmir for their right to self-determination as per the UN resolutions.
• Tabled by the State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, the House passed a resolution condemning a recent attack on the rally of the JUI-F chief in Quetta.
• The Minister for Science and Technology laid the annual report of the Federal Accounts for 2012-2013 and the reports of the Auditor General for 2013-2014.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Sponsored by five MQM lawmakers, the House took up a calling attention notice (CAN) regarding power outages and overbilling.
• The House took up eight out of 31 questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) while the members also asked 13 supplementary questions.

Order and Institutionalization

• Fourteen points of order consumed 100 minutes (49%) of the proceedings’ time.

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 Quorum was visibly lacking at various stages of the sitting. However, it was not pointed out by any of the legislators.

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This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of FAFEN and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. This 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 excepted