NA Skips Scheduled Agenda, Discusses Political Issues

ISLAMABAD, December 12, 2018: The major portion of the National Assembly’s proceedings was consumed in debate on political issues raised through Points of Order on Wednesday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during third sitting of the sixth session:

 Members’ Participation

  • The National Assembly met for three hours and 18 minutes.
  • The sitting started at 1150 hours against the scheduled time of 1100 hours.
  • The Speaker presided over the sitting for an hour and 15 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the rest of the sitting.
  • The Leader of House (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting.
  • The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for seven minutes. He was released from jail custody to attend the House proceedings on production orders issued by the Speaker,
  • As many as 73 lawmakers (22%) were present at the outset and 99 (29%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
  • The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, BNP, PML and PPPP attended the sitting.
  • As many as five out of 10 minority lawmakers were present.

 Output

  • The House did not take up the scheduled legislative business, amendment in the Assembly’s rules of procedure, and statutory reports.

Representation and Responsiveness

  • Minister of State for Communications responded to a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) regarding unavailability of standard service areas on M-I Islamabad-Peshawar.
  • The House did not address a CAN, a Motion of Thanks and a Motion under Rule 259.

Order and Institutionalization 

  • As many as 10 lawmakers raised 14 Points of Order consuming an hour and 48 minutes (55%) of the proceedings’ time.
  • The House was adjourned to meet again on December 13, 2018 (Thursday) at 1100 hours.

 Transparency

  • Orders of the Day was available to the legislators, observers and public.
  • Attendance of lawmakers is available on the National Assembly’s website.

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 ex