Islamabad, May 8, 2014: The National Assembly took up two calling attention notices (CANs) and continued debate on the law and order situation in the country during the fourth sitting of the 11^th session on Thursday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Sponsored by two PML-N female legislators, the first CAN was regarding non-encashment of leave allowance to the government servants who do not avail it during the service while the second CAN, sponsored by MQM, PPPP and PTI legislators, was regarding non-distribution of gas as per the Constitution.

The House continued discussion on the law and order situation in the country on a motion under Rule 259. One member each from JUI-F, JI and PPPP took part in the debate which continued for 29 minutes.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

 

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

 

• The National Assembly met for two hours and 37 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1023 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of 23 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 45 minutes.
• Parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, MQM, JI, PML-Z, APML, PTI, PML-F, AMLP and QWP attended the proceedings.
• Sixty-one (18%) members were present at the outset while 196 (57%) at the adjournment. A maximum of 228 members (67%) were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.
• Nine minority members attended the sitting.
• Ten members applied for leave.

 

Representation and Responsiveness

• Sponsored by two PML-N female legislators, the first CAN was regarding non-encashment of leave allowance to the government servants who do not avail it during the service.
• Sponsored jointly by MQM, PPPP and PTI legislators, the second CAN was regarding non-distribution of gas as per the Constitution.
• One member each from JUI-F, JI and PPPP took part in debate on a motion under Rule 259 regarding the law and order situation in the country which continued for 29 minutes.
• Thirteen of the 32 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) were answered by the relevant ministries while 13 supplementary questions were also asked.

 

Order and Institutionalization

 

• There were no instances of protests, boycotts or walkouts during the sitting.  
• Lawmakers spoke on eight matters under Rule 18 consuming 46 minutes of the proceedings. 

 

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