ISLAMABAD, March 15, 2016: The National Assembly took up entire agenda except six motions on Tuesday during second sitting of 30^th session of the National Assembly, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

It was first Private Members’ day of the session.

Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The National Assembly met for two hours and 39 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1035 hours against its scheduled time of 1030 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting for 71 minutes, a member of Panel of Chairpersons for 42 minutes and the Deputy Speaker for rest of the proceeding.
• The Prime Minister was not present.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 26 minutes.
• Nine Federal Ministers were present.
• 28 MNAs (8%) were present at outset and 41 (12%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, ANP, JI, QWP-S and PML-Z were present.
• Ten minority members were present.

Output

• MQM lawmakers introduced the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2016 (Amendment of Article 224A), the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2016 (Amendment of Article 77) and the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the House. The bills were referred to the relevant standing committees.
• The House rejected MQM lawmaker’s motion to introduce the Higher Education Commission Ordinance (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
• PPPP lawmakers introduced the Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment
• PPPP lawmakers introduced the Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the House. The bills were referred to relevant standing committees.
• JUI-F lawmaker introduced the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2016 (Amendment of Article 106) in the House. The bill was sent to the relevant standing committee.
• Chairman Standing Committee on Defence presented the report of the committee on the Pakistan Army (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015. The House also approved the motion to condone the delay in presentation of the report.
• Moved by a minority lawmaker belonging to PML-N, the House adopted a resolution urging the government to take steps to declare Holi, Dewali and Easter as closed holidays for minorities.
• Moved by MQM lawmaker, the House adopted a resolution urging the government to formulate Umrah policy to facilitate pilgrims.
• Moved by PTI lawmaker, the House adopted a resolution asking the government to strengthen Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Security. Fourteen lawmakers spoke on the motion consuming 41 minutes of the proceeding.
• Moved by JI lawmaker, the House adopted a resolution urging the government to provide hostel accommodation to female students in the precincts of universities.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The government responded to two Calling Attention Notices regarding non-inclusion of column of disabled persons in the census form and the disapproval of Central Superior Services reforms by the Prime Minister.
• The House did not take up five motions under Rule 259 and one under Rule 244(B).

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers spoke on eight points of order consuming 22 minutes of the proceedings.
• Women parliamentarians belonging to the Opposition staged walkout at 1246 hours to protest against the government for not providing them development funds. They did not return to the House till the adjournment of the sitting.
• A JUI-F lawmaker also staged walkout at 1309 hours when the Chair disallowed him to speak on a Point of Order.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
• The attendance of lawmakers was not available to observers and media.

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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