ISLAMABAD, December 20, 2013: Remaining in session for over two weeks, the 12^th sitting of 7^th session of the Lower House was prorogued sine die on Friday, after adopting a resolution unanimously, appreciating the efforts of the government that culminated in the adoption of UN resolution against drone strikes, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation. 

The resolution was moved by Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan that not only praised the United Nation’s General Assembly’s resolution but all called upon the US government to “immediately end the drone attacks in Pakistan, which are against international law”.

The House took up calling attention notice (CAN) regarding increase in the spread of polio virus in the country while the other CAN, relating to huge loss being caused to the government exchequer in connivance with and wrong policy of political administration of the Khyber Agency relating to Afghan transit trade through Peshawar-Torkham road-border, was not taken up.

The sitting had to be adjourned for sixty minutes when a PTI lawmaker pointed out quorum soon after the proceedings started.

A total of 46 members, among the House of 340, were present at the outset while 82 were there at the adjournment of sitting.

The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the proceedings while Parliamentary leaders of QWP-S and JI were present.

Following are some key observations of the Parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The National Assembly met for an hour and 50 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1055 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 25 minutes.
• The Deputy Speaker presided over the entire proceedings.
• The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the proceedings.
• The Parliamentary leader of QWP-S and JI were present.
• Forty-six (46) members were present at the outset while 82 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 118 members were observed to be present at one point of sitting.
• Four minority members attended the sitting.
• Ten Members applied for leave.

Output

• The House unanimously adopted a resolution appreciating the resolution of the UN General Assembly against drone strikes in the foreign territories. 

Representation and Responsiveness

• 37 Starred Questions on the agenda were not taken up.
  
• Sponsored by PML-N legislators, the House took up two calling attention notices relating to the increase in spread of polio virus in the country.

Order and Institutionalization

• A PTI lawmaker pointed out quorum and the sitting had to be adjourned for 60 minutes when it was found incomplete.
• MNAs spoke on 11 points of order for 28 minutes.

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