ISLAMABAD, May 19, 2016: The National Assembly passed the Constitutional Amendment and two other government bills unanimously on Thursday during ninth sitting of its 32^nd session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The National Assembly met for three hours and 36 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1045 hours against the scheduled time 1030 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting except for 14 minutes when a member of the Panel of Chairpersons presided over the proceeding.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 171 minutes.
• Fifteen Federal Ministers attended the sitting.
• 74 MNAs (21%) were present at outset and 96 (28%) at adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-F, PkMAP, QWP-S, JI, PML, PML-Z and APML attended the sitting.
• Seven minority members were present.

Output

• Minister for Law and Justice introduced the Constitution (Twenty-second Amendment) Bill, 2016 and moved the House to consider the bill immediately after dispensing with the requirement of Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2012. The House passed the bill unanimously with 236 (69%) members in its support.
• The House also passed the he National Database and Registration Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, 2016 unanimously.
• Acting Chairman Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges presented the Special report of the Committee on the salary and allowances of the Speaker/Chairman Senate, Deputy Speaker/Deputy Chairman Senate and Members of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament). The House adopted the report after its consideration.
• Chairman of the Standing Committee on Housing and Works presented the report of the Committee on the issue regarding non-issuance of allotment letters to the employees of Constitutional Bodies, in Bhara Kahu Housing Scheme, Islamabad. The House condoned the delay in the presentation of the report.
• Chairman of the Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources presented the report of the Committee on the matter regarding pilferage of oil of (Rs.142 Billion) in connivance with employees of PSO in the country. The House condoned the delay in the presentation of the report.
• A Periodical Report of the Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping was not taken up.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Moved by the Minister for Law and Justice, the House adopted a motion to suspend the Question Hour.
• The House adopted a motion to constitute a Parliamentary Committee comprising 12 members to define Terms of Reference for investigations in to Panama Leaks.
• The House did not take up two Calling Attention Notices appearing on the agenda.

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers spoke on 27 Points of Order consuming 88 minutes of the proceeding.
• The House suspended Chaudhary Asad-ur-Rehman from the service of the Assembly for remainder of the session. He had torn some papers and thrown them on face of the Secretary National Assembly during last sitting.

Transparency

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

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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.