NA Takes Up 80% of its Agenda

ISLAMABAD, November 20, 2015: The National Assembly addressed eighty percent of its agenda during first sitting of its 26th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The House also observed a minute of silence to pay tribute to the victims of terrorist attacks in Paris.

Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:

Members’ Participation in House Proceeding

  • The National Assembly met for two hours and 29 minutes
  • The sitting started at 1005 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours
  • The Speaker presided over the sitting for 50 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the rest of the sitting
  • The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting
  • The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for an hour and 45 minutes
  • 34 MNAs (10%) were present at outset and 29 (8%) at adjournment of the sitting
  • The parliamentary leaders of APML, JUI-F, BNP and QWP-S were present
  • Seven minority members were present
  • 10 members applied for leave

Output

  • The National Assembly unanimously passed the Pakistan Health Research Council Bill, 2015 and the Cantonments (Amendment) Bill, 2015. The bills were passed without any discussion.
  • Parliamentary Secretary for Interior & Narcotics Control laid before the House the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015.
  • On behalf of the Chairman Standing Committee on Science & Technology, a member of the committee presented before the House the report on the Pakistan Halal Authority Bill, 2015.
  • Parliamentary Secretary for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics & Privatization laid before the House the report of the Federal Accounts for the financial year, 2013-14 and the reports of the Auditor General for the Audit year, 2014-15.

Representation and Responsiveness

  • The government responded to ten of 31 starred questions on floor of the House. The lawmakers asked 11 supplementary questions as well.
  • The House took up a Calling Attention Notice regarding alarming increase in the number of patients of Hepatitis B and C in the country. Five female lawmakers belonging to PML-N sponsored this notice.

Order and Institutionalization

  • Lawmakers spoke on 17 Points of Order consuming 51 minutes.

 Transparency

  • ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
  • The attendance of lawmakers was available to the media and observers.

 To download the factsheet, click here


 

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