ISLAMABAD, March 24, 2016: The National Assembly took up private members’ business and adopted four resolutions on Thursday during sixth sitting of 30^th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

According to the Rules of Procedure, the National Assembly can transact private members’ business on Tuesday. However, last Tuesday was consumed in the Joint Session of both Houses of the Parliament.

The House observed a minute of silence for the victims of Brussels attacks.

Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The National Assembly met for three hours and six minutes.
• The sitting started at 1033 hours against its scheduled time of 1030 hours.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for 149 minutes while a member of the Panel of Chairpersons presided over the rest of the proceeding.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 145 minutes.
• Ten Federal Ministers were present.
• 16 MNAs (5%) were present at outset and 48 (15%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of MQM, PkMAP, ANP, JI, QWP-S, PML-Z and AMLP were present.
• Six minority members were present.

Output

• MQM lawmaker introduced the Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Bill, 2016 before the House. The bill was referred to the relevant standing committee.
• JUI-F lawmaker moved the House to consider the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) (Amendment) Bill, 2016 as passed by the Senate. However, the House referred it to the relevant standing committee on the treasury’s suggestion.
• Moved by PPPP lawmaker, the House adopted a resolution urging the government to take immediate steps to conduct population census. Two lawmakers spoke on the subject consuming nine minutes.
• Moved by PML-N lawmaker, the House adopted a resolution urging the government to conduct new survey of Benazir Income Support Program. Four lawmakers discussed the matter for as many minutes.
• Moved by JUI-F lawmaker, the House adopted a resolution urging the government to establish separate counters for women in Passport and NADRA offices.
• The House rejected a resolution, moved by PTI lawmaker, regarding fixing the minimum interest free house building advance limit at two million rupees.
• Moved by PPPP lawmaker, the House also adopted a resolution condemning the terrorist attacks in Brussels, Belgium.
• The House did not take up a private member bill and a resolution.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Ten out of 30 starred questions appearing on the agenda were taken up and orally responded to by the government. The lawmakers asked 14 supplementary questions as well.
• The House took up a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) regarding unavailability of life-saving drugs in the country.
• Four lawmakers discussed a matter of public importance under Rule 87 regarding performance of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
• The House did not take up a CAN, five Motions under Rule 259 and one Motion under Rule 244(B).

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers spoke on 14 points of order consuming 20 minutes of the proceeding.

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