ISLAMABAD, November 1, 2018: The National Assembly held an unscheduled discussion on law and order in the country in the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s verdict acquitting Asia Bibi from charges of blasphemy, observes the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its daily Factsheet on Thursday.

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during fourth sitting of the fourth session:

Members’ Participation

• The Assembly met for three hours and 20 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1250 hours against the scheduled time of 1200 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
• The Deputy Speaker was also present.
• The Leader of House (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of Opposition attended the sitting for two hours and 24 minutes. He was released from National Accountability Bureau’s custody to attend the sitting on production orders issued by the Speaker.
• As many as 123 lawmakers (36%) were present at outset and 66 (19%) at adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, BAP and PML attended the sitting.
• A newly elected lawmaker from PML-N took the oath and signed the roll of members.
• As many as four out of 10 minority lawmakers were present.

Representation and Responsiveness

• As many as 14 lawmakers – PTI (4), PML-N (3), PPPP and MMAP (two each), MQM, PML and BAP (one ach) – participated in the debate on law and order in the country. They spoke on the issue for two hours and five minutes.
• The House did not hold Question Hour and left the scheduled Calling Attention Notices unaddressed.

 Order and Institutionalization 

• As many as four lawmakers – one each from PPPP, PTI, MMAP and PML – spoke on points of personal explanation consuming four minutes of the proceedings.
• The House was adjourned to meet again on November 2, 2018 (Friday) at 1030 hours.

 Transparency

• Orders of the Day was available to the legislators, observers and public.
• Attendance of lawmakers is available on the National Assembly’s website.

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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.