NA leaves entire agenda unaddressed on private members’ day

ISLAMABAD, November 16, 2021: The National Assembly left entire agenda unaddressed on private members’ day and consumed 83 percent part of its proceedings’ time in points of order, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet on Tuesday.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during seventh sitting of the 38th session:

 Members’ Participation

  • The National Assembly met for an hour and 39 minutes.
  • The sitting started at 11:44 am against the scheduled time of 11:00 am.
  • The deputy speaker chaired the sitting for an hour and 29 minutes while remaining sitting was presided over by a member of panel of chairpersons for ten minutes.
  • The leader of the house (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting.
  • The opposition leader was present for 15 minutes.
  • As many as 56 (16 percent) lawmakers were present at the outset and 66 (19 percent) at the adjournment of the sitting.
  • Parliamentary leader of PML-N, JWP and MMAP attended the sitting.
  • Six minority lawmakers were present.

 Output

  • The House did not consider 25 private members’ bills, 22 reports of standing committees, five resolutions and an amendment in rules of procedure and conduct of business in National Assembly, 2007.

 Representation and Responsiveness

  • The House did not take up five motions under rule 259 and two calling attention notices.

 Order and Institutionalization

  • Thirteen lawmakers spoke on points of order for an hour and 22 minutes.
  • A PPPP lawmaker pointed out the quorum at 01:22 pm after which the Chair immediately announced to adjourn the House to meet again on Friday, November 19, 2021 at 11:00 am.

Transparency

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