ISLAMABAD, October 21, 2014: The National Assembly rejected a bill seeking the creation of new provinces in the country and witnessed the introduction of 12 private member’s bills during the second sitting of 15^th session on Tuesday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Introduced by an independent lawmaker, the House rejected the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2014 (Amendment to Article 1) which was sought the creation of new provinces in the country.

Tabled by a MQM lawmaker, the House adopted a resolution to upgrade hospitals administered by the federal government to ensure free medical facilities to general public.

The House took up two calling attention notices (CANs) – the first regarding the spread of Ebola virus in the country and lack of preemptive measures on part of the government and the second about overcharging and black-marketing by LPG companies and the OGRA’s failure to prevent these illegal practices.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings:

• The National Assembly met for two hours and three minutes.
• The sitting began at 1122 hours against the scheduled time of 1100 hours witnessing a delay of 22 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for an hour and nine minutes while the rest of the proceedings were chaired by the Deputy Speaker.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour.
• Fifty lawmakers (15% of the total membership) were present at the outset while 52 (15%) at the adjournment of the sitting. A maximum of 108 members (32%) were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of JI, AMLP, BNP-A, MQM, APML, PkMAP and JUI-F attended the sitting.
• Seven minority members attended the sitting.
• Three lawmakers applied for leave.

 Output

• The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2014 seeking insertion of new sections 297-A and 297- B) was moved by five MQM lawmakers.
• Four JI lawmakers including a female member tabled the Protection of Journalists Bill 2014.
• Four MQM lawmakers moved the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2014 (Substitution of section 297 and Amendment in the Second Schedule).
• 16 MQM lawmakers moved the Constitution (Twenty-Fourth Amendment) Bill 2014 (Amendment to Articles 51, 63 and 106).
• A PML-N female lawmaker introduced the Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill 2014.
• A PML-N legislator moved the Islamabad Rent Restriction (Amendment) Bill 2014 (Amendment in sections, 2, 5, 21, 23, substitution of sections 8 and 10 and insertion of new sections in Ordinance IV of 200).
• Three PPPP female lawmakers introduced the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill 2014 (Amendment to sections 49, 51A, 13 and 7C).
• The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2014 (Amendment to Article 251) was introduced by four JUI-F lawmakers.
•  The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (Amendment) Bill 2014 was moved by four MQM lawmakers.
• The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2014 (Amendment to Articles 51 and 106) was jointly introduced by the lawmakers of PPPP, PML-N, PML-F, MQM and PkMAP.
• Two JUI-F female legislators introduced the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2014 (Insertion of new section 297-A and amendment to the Second Schedule).
• Four JUI-F lawmakers moved the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2014 (Amendment to Article 51and 106).
• Introduced by an independent lawmaker, the House rejected the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2014 (Amendment to Article 1) which sought the creation of new provinces in the country.
• Tabled by a MQM lawmaker, the House adopted a resolution to upgrade the federally-administered hospitals to ensure provision of free medical facilities to people.
• Another resolution tabled by a PPPP female lawmaker to improve services of PIA was adjourned for discussion till the next private member’s day.
• Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights Chairman presented reports on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2014 (Amendment to Article 198) and the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2014 (Amendment in Article 251).

 Representation and Responsiveness

• The House took up two calling attention notices (CANs) – the first regarding the spread of Ebola virus in the country and lack of preemptive measures on part of the government and the second about overcharging and black-marketing by LPG companies and the OGRA’s failure to prevent these illegal practices.

 Order and Institutionalization

• Twenty-two points of order consumed 44% (54 minutes) of the proceedings’ time.

 Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on members’ attendance was not available to observers and the public.
• The Quorum was visibly lacking at various stages of the sitting. However, it was not pointed out by any of the legislators.

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This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of FAFEN and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. This Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of the National Assembly proceedings conducted by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI); a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions excepted.