ISLAMABAD, June 17, 2016: The National Assembly concluded the general discussion on the Budget 2016-17 on Friday during 13^th sitting of the National Assembly’s 33^rd 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 five hours and 36 minutes.
• The proceeding remained suspended for 37 minutes due to lack of quorum and for 50 minutes due to prayer break.
• The sitting started at 1106 hours against the scheduled time 1100 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting for three hours and 19 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 sitting for two hours and 38 minutes.
• The Finance Minister attended the sitting for three hours and 41 minutes.
• Thirteen Federal Ministers were present.
• 46 MNAs (12%) were present at outset and 52 (15%) at adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, JI, PML-Z and QWP-S attended the sitting.
• Five minority members were present.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Eleven lawmakers – two belonging to PPPP and one each to PTI, PML-N, JUI-F, MQM, JI, PkMAP, QWP-S, AJIP and Independent – discussed the recommendations made by the Senate on on Budget 2016-17. The discussion consumed 78 minutes.
• Finance Minister concluded the general discussion on the Budget. His speech consumed 65 minutes.
• Five lawmakers – two belonging to PPPP, and one each to PTI, MQM and JI – debated the Charged Expenditure included in Demands for Grants and Appropriations for the financial year 2016-17. The debate consumed 72 minutes.

Order and Institutionalisation

• The lawmakers spoke on five Points of Order consuming nine minutes of the sitting.
• The proceeding remained suspended for 37 minutes due to lack of quorum pointed out by a PTI lawmaker. An Independent lawmaker also pointed out the quorum at 1418 hours but it was found complete on counting.

Transparency

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

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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.