ISLAMABAD, June 25, 2021: Minister for Finance and Revenue concluded debate on the federal budget 2021-22 in National Assembly on Friday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during 15th sitting of the 34th session:

 Members’ Participation

• The House met for five hours and 43 minutes; however, the proceedings remained suspended for an hour and 38 minutes due to prayer break.
• The proceedings started at 11:10 am against the scheduled time of 11:00 am.
• The speaker presided over the proceedings for 51 minutes, the deputy speaker for two hours and 54 minutes while a member of panel of chairperson chaired the remaining sitting.
• The leaders of the House (Prime Minister) and the opposition did not attend the sitting.
• A total of 40 lawmakers (12 percent) were present at the outset and 81 (24 percent) at the adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of BAP and GDA attended the sitting.
• Seven out of ten minority lawmakers were also present during the proceedings.

 Representation and Responsiveness

• Minister of Finance and Revenue winded up general discussion on the budget for the financial year 2021-22 and spoke for 34 minutes.
• The House considered the recommendations made by the Senate on the Finance Bill, 2021 and twelve lawmakers spoke on it for an hour and 17 minutes.
• The House held discussion on the Charged Expenditure included in Demands for Grants and Appropriations for the financial year ending on June 30, 2022. Sixteen lawmakers spoke on it for an hour and 19 minutes.
• The House approved 68 demands for grants related to various departments and ministries. No cut motion was moved on these demands for grants.

 Order and Institutionalization

• The House was adjourned to meet again on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 11:00 am.

 Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
• Attendance of lawmakers was available to the media and observers.

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