NA Begins Debate on Finance Bill

ISLAMABAD, June 6, 2016: The National Assembly began discussion on the Finance Bill 2016 on Monday during third sitting of 33rd session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

  • The National Assembly met for four hours and 42 minutes.
  • The proceeding remained suspended for 24 minutes due to lack of quorum.
  • The sitting started at 1608 hours against the scheduled time 1600 hours.
  • The Speaker presided over the sitting for 154 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the rest of the proceeding.
  • The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting,
  • The Leader of the Opposition attended the entire sitting.
  • The Finance Minister attended the sitting for 168 minutes.
  • Thirteen Federal Ministers were present.
  • 32 MNAs (9%) were present at outset and 27 (8%) at adjournment of the sitting.
  • The parliamentary leaders of JUI-F, PkMAP, QWP-S, PML, AMLP, JI, MQM, PML-Z and APML attended the sitting.
  • Eight minority members were present.

Output

  • Moved by the Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination, the House adopted a supplementary resolution to pay tribute to late Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali.

Representation and Responsiveness

  • The Leader of the Opposition and the Parliamentary Leader of MQM discussed the financial proposals for fiscal year 2016-17 for 209 minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

  • The lawmakers spoke on ten Points of Order consuming 15 minutes of the sitting.
  • The proceeding remained suspended for 24 minutes due to lack of quorum pointed out by a PPPP lawmaker.

Transparency

  • ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
  • Information on Members’ attendance is available on National Assembly website.

This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the National Assembly proceeding conducted by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted.