ISLAMABAD, May 12, 2014: The National Assembly continued discussion on the law and order situation in the country during the sixth sitting of its 11^th session on Monday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Six members – PML-N (2) and one each from PTI, PPPP, JI and MQM – took part in the debate on a motion under Rule 259 regarding the law and order which continued for 46 minutes.

The House took up two calling attention notices (CANs) – the first CAN was regarding hidden charges on mobile calls deducted by all mobile phone companies and the second was about the non-development of the under-developed districts at par with the developed districts in the country.

A PTI lawmaker – restored recently – submitted a privilege motion against his disqualification soon after his election and demanded the Chair justify the period he remained absent from the House because a court ruling. The Minister for Kashmir Affairs opposed it and the Chair reserved the ruling over it after 43 minutes of discussion.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

 

Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings:

 

• The National Assembly met for three hours and 58 minutes.
• The House took a prayer break for 43 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1743 hours against the scheduled time of 1700 hours, witnessing a delay of 43 minutes.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting for two hours and 36 minutes while the rest of proceedings were chaired by the Deputy Speaker.  
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and six minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-F, MQM, APML, JI, AMLP, QWP, PML-Z and PkMAP attended the sitting.
• Eight-one members (24%) were present at the outset while 36 (10%) at the adjournment of the sitting. A maximum of 142 members (41%) were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.
• Seven minority members attended the sitting.
• Nine members applied for leave.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Six members – PML-N (2) and one each from PTI, PPPP, JI and MQM – took part in the debate on a motion under Rule 259 regarding the law and order which continued for 46 minutes.
• The House took up a calling attention notice (CAN) regarding hidden charges on mobile calls deducted by all mobile phone companies.
• Another CAN was about the non-development of the under-developed districts at par with the developed districts in the country.
• The relevant ministers responded to fifteen out of 35 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). Additionally, the lawmakers asked 19 supplementary questions.
• A PTI lawmaker – restored recently – submitted a privilege motion against his disqualification soon after his election and demanded the Chair justify the period he remained absent from the House because a court ruling. The Minister for Kashmir Affairs opposed it and the Chair reserved the ruling over it after 43 minutes of discussion.

Order and Institutionalization

• The legislators spoke on four matters under Rule 18 for 14 minutes.

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.

 

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