Private Members Agenda consumed major part of National Assembly proceedings, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

ISLAMABAD, May 10, 2022: The National Assembly on Tuesday left 96 percent of the agenda unaddressed on the Private Members’ Day and consumed major part (33 percent) of its proceedings in Points of Order, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Fact Sheet.

During the course of the sitting, fateha was offered for the deceased soul of former legislator, Shahzada Mohiuddin.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during the 2nd sitting of 42nd session:

Private Members Agenda: Members’ Participation

• The National Assembly met for an hour and 32 minutes.
• The sitting started at 04:34 pm against the scheduled time of 04:00 pm.
• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting (66 minutes), while the remaining proceedings were chaired by the Deputy Speaker.
• The Leader of the House (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting.
• As many as 45 (13 percent) lawmakers were present at the outset and 72 (21 percent) at the adjournment of the sitting.
• Parliamentary leaders of PML-N, JWP, MQMP, BAP and GDA attended the sitting.
• Three out of 10 minority lawmakers were present in the House.

Output

• The House referred two bills to the standing committees concerned. These bills were titled as the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (Amendment in Article- 51-59) and the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2022. Whereas, a motion for leave to introduce the Pre-Legislative Consultation Bill, 2022 was rejected by the House with voice voting.
• The House did not consider 45 private members’ bills, 39 standing committees’ reports, two amendments in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007 and a private members’ resolution.

Private Members Agenda: Representation & Responsiveness 

• The House took up a calling attention notice (CAN) regarding increase in the prices of edible items in the country, which was responded to by the Minister of State for Finance and Revenue. The other CAN was related to the closure of the LPG stations in Chitral Lower District.
• The House did not consider five motions under rule 259.

Order and Institutionalization

• As many as three lawmakers spoke on the points of order for 30 minutes consuming 33 percent of the proceedings’ time.
• A female legislator belonging to GDA staged a walkout from the House over non-appointment of the Leader of the Opposition.
• A lawmaker belonging to GDA pointed out the quorum at 06:00 pm, following which the Chair ordered the bells to be rung for five minutes. The counting was made and the quorum was found incomplete.
• The House was adjourned to meet again on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 11:30 am.

Private Members Agenda: Transparency

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

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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