NA Discusses FATA Reforms, Health Sector Issues

ISLAMABAD, September 28, 2016: The National Assembly held discussion on the Report of Committee on FATA Reforms and took up Calling Attention Notices related to the health sector issues on Wednesday, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during third sitting of the 36th session:

Members’ Participation

  • The National Assembly met for three hours and 20 minutes.
  • The sitting started at 1033 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours.
  • The Speaker presided over the sitting for two hours and 56 minutes while a member of the Panel of Chairpersons presided over the rest of proceedings.
  • The Deputy Speaker was not present.
  • The Leader of the House (Prime Minister) and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
  • Nineteen lawmakers (5%) were present at the outset while 31 (9%) at the adjournment of sitting.
  • The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, JUI-F, PkMAP, JI, QWP-S and ANP attended the sitting.
  • Seven minority members were present.

Output

  • Minister for Human Rights introduced the Women in Distress and Detention Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2016 that was referred to the relevant standing committee.
  • Chairman Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization presented the report of the committee on the Public Private Partnership Authority Bill, 2016.
  • Chairman Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges presented four reports of the committee on as many Questions of Privilege. The House condoned the delay in presentation of these reports.
  • Minister for Law and Justice presented the first Biannual Monitoring Report on the Implementation of National Finance Commission (NFC) Award for the period between July and December, 2015.

Representation and Responsiveness

  • As many as 12 out of 32 Starred Questions were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministers. The lawmakers also asked 16 Supplementary Questions.
  • The House took up two Calling Attention Notices regarding the malnutrition of mother and children and the country’s poor performance in health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Six lawmakers took part in the discussion on the Report of Committee on Fata Reforms 2016 consuming an hour and 20 minutes of the proceedings.

Order and Institutionalization

  • The lawmakers spoke on three Points of Order consuming eight minutes of the sitting.

Transparency

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

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