ISLAMABAD, January 27: The Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 was laid during the 1st sitting of 8^th session of National Assembly while the legislators spoke for an hour and 50 minutes on important matters under Rule 18, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation.

Minister for Science and Technology laid the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 (No. X of 2013). An independent lawmaker pointed out quorum and the sitting had to be adjourned when it was found incomplete.

Sponsored by PML-N legislator, a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) was taken up by the House which was related to the collision between train and a school van at a gate-less railway crossing at Danewal, Vehari, killing two women and seriously injuring several others.

The House did not take up another CAN that was related to non-payment of salaries to the employees of Pakistan Steel Mills Corporation, Karachi, for the last three months.

During the sitting, the House also offered fateha for the deceased soul of former legislator Abdul Qadoos.

A total of 129 members were present at the outset, while 54 were there at the adjournment of the sitting. The Speaker administered the oath to a newly elected PML-N lawmaker.

The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was there for 42 minutes. Parliamentary leaders of PTI, AMLP, PkMAP, JI, QWP-S, PML-F, PML-Z and MQM attended the proceedings.

The entire opposition staged a token walkout of three minutes over the absence of Prime Minister from the House.

The journalists covering the proceedings boycotted the session for 30 minutes over the recent killings of their colleagues. They returned to the House only after getting assurance from the Minister for Information and Broadcasting to book the culprits involved in the heinous crime.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The National Assembly met for three hours and 42 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1642 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours, witnessing a delay of 42 minutes.

• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
•  The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition remained present for 42 minutes.
• Parliamentary leaders of PTI, AMLP, PkMAP, JI, QWP-S, PML-F, PML-Z and MQM were present.
• One hundred and twenty nine (129) members were present at the outset, while 54 were there at the adjournment of the sitting. A maximum of 226 members were observed to be present at one point of sitting.
• The House took 24-minute prayer break.
• Seven minority members attended the sitting.
• Four members applied for leave.

Output

• Minister for Science and Technology laid the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 (No. X of 2013).

Representation and Responsiveness

• Sponsored by PML-N legislator, the House took up a CAN regarding collision of a school van with train at railway crossing without gate at Danewal, Vehari, killing two women and seriously injuring several others.
• The House did not take up another CAN regarding non-payment of salaries to the employees of Pakistan Steel Mills Corporation, Karachi, for the last three months.
• Ten out of 36 Starred Questions (requiring oral and written answers) on the Orders of the Day were taken up. Additionally, members asked 11 supplementary questions.

Order and Institutionalization

• MNAs spoke on 12 important matters under Rule 18 for an hour and 50 minutes.

• After an Independent MNA pointed out quorum, the Chair ordered for the count of Members and the proceedings had to be adjourned when the quorum was found incomplete.
• All the opposition parties staged a token walkout of three minutes over the absence of Prime Minister from the House.

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.

 

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