ISLAMABAD, January 19, 2016: The National Assembly took up only half of the agenda items appearing on Orders of the Day on Tuesday during thirteenth sitting of 28^th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

It was third private members day of the ongoing session.

Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The National Assembly met for two hours and 44 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1035 hours against its scheduled time of 1030 hours.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for two hours and 23 minutes while the Deputy Speaker presided over 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 eight minutes.
• Twelve Federal Ministers attended the sitting.
• 17 MNAs (5%) were present at outset and 52 (15%) at adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of QWP-S, JI, PML-Z, APML and AMLP were present.
• Five minority members were present.

Output

• The lawmakers belonging to MQM and JUI-F introduced the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and the Employment of Children (Amendment) Bill 2016 respectively. The bills were referred to relevant standing committees.
• The House adopted a resolution sponsored by MQM lawmaker urging the government to take special steps to promote religious harmony in the country. Eight lawmakers discussed it for 33 minutes.
• Eleven lawmakers including four ministers debated a resolution seeking to recommend declaring Friday as weekly holiday. The resolution was referred to the relevant standing committee for further deliberations.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The Federal Minister for Defence made a policy statement regarding the Pakistan’s stance on recently announced 34 nations’ Saudi-led anti-terrorism coalition and recent Saudi-Iran controversy. Four lawmakers also made speeches on the subject consuming 12 minutes.
• The House took up two Calling Attention Notices regarding highest prevalence of hepatitis in the country and discontinuation of pension to the retired employees of Lok Virsa.
• The House did not take up any of the motions under rule 259 appearing on the agenda.

Order and Institutionalization

• Three lawmakers spoke on Points of Order consuming three minutes of the proceeding. They discussed the issues relating to governance and business of the House.
• The sole member of AMLP staged a walkout at 1044 hours against the lack of quorum and non-seriousness of the government to the business of the House. He did not return to the House till the adjournment of the sitting.
• A PTI lawmaker also staged walkout at 1303 hours after he was not allowed to speak on a point of order. He too did not return to the House till the adjournment.

Transparency

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

 To download the factsheet, click here for English version – click here for Urdu version

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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