NA: Two-Thirds Agenda Remains Unaddressed

ISLAMABAD, December 8, 2015: The National Assembly left two third agenda unaddressed due to absence of movers on Tuesday during second sitting of its 27th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:

Members’ Participation in House Proceeding

  • The National Assembly met for three hours and 9 minutes
  • The sitting started at 1034 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours
  • The Speaker presided over the sitting for first hour and 16 minutes of proceeding while the Deputy Speaker chaired rest of the sitting
  • The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting
  • The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for an hour and 5 minutes
  • 34 MNAs (10%) were present at outset and 19 (6%) at adjournment of the sitting
  • The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, JI, ANP, AMLP, APML, and PML-Z were present
  • Ten minority members were present
  • Seven members applied for leave

Output

  • Five Private Members’ bills – the Right to free and Compulsory Physical Education and Training Bill, 2015, the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2015, the Right to Compulsory Education and Training in the field of Information Technology Bill, 2015, the Pakistan Army (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the National Commission for Minority Education Bill, 2015 – were introduced and referred to the relevant standing committees.
  • Chairman Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges presented before the House reports of the committee on three Questions of Privileges raised by lawmakers. These reports were tabled after the House condoned the delay in their presentation.
  • The House rejected a motion to amend Sub-Rule 3 of Rule 83 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007.

Representation and Responsiveness

  • The House took up a Motion under Rule 259 moved by a female lawmaker of PML-N to discuss Kashmir policy of the government. Nine members discussed the motion for 39 minutes.
  • Moved by another female member belonging to PML-N, six MNAs took part in the discussion on a Motion under Rule 259 regarding non-existence of a code of conduct for media for 21 minutes.
  • Parliamentary Secretary for Cabinet Secretariat responded to a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) regarding unavailability of facilities to dispose of medical waste in the hospitals of Islamabad.

Order and Institutionalization

  • Three lawmakers spoke on Points of Order consuming sixty minutes of proceeding of the House.
  • The Opposition parties staged a walkout at 1139 hours to protest against privatization of Pakistan International Airlines. They did not return to the House for the rest of the sitting.
  • A PTI lawmaker came to the House to point out quorum at 1221 hours that was found lacking on counting. The Chair ordered to ring the bells for five minutes and the quorum was found to be completed at 1230 hours.

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