ISLAMABAD, March 6, 2014: The National Assembly concluded its debate on National Internal Security Policy (NISP) during 9^th sitting of its 9^th session on Thursday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.

The House suspended its regular agenda to discuss the internal security policy of the country. Ten lawmakers, including the federal minister for Interior, spoke on the motion under rule 259 for three hours and 39 minutes. Two lawmakers each of PPPP, PTI and PML-N, and one each of JUI-F, MQM and PML-Z took part in the debate as the Interior minister wound up the debate.

The federal minister for science and technology moved the House to constitute the Standing Committee on Textile Industry. The House carried the motion.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The National Assembly met for four hours and 35 minutes taking a prayer break of 24 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1600 hours against the scheduled time of 1530 hours, witnessing a delay of 30 minutes.
• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting, except for 64 minutes when Deputy Speaker chaired the proceedings.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition stayed in the House for two hours and ten minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, JI, ANP, JUI-F, QWP-S, APML and PML-Z were present.
• Eighty-nine members were present at the outset while 92 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 160 members were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.
• Nine minority members attended the sitting.
• Twenty-six members applied for leave.
  

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House suspended its regular agenda to discuss internal security policy and concluded debate on matter of national importance. Ten lawmakers, including the federal minister for Interior, spoke on the motion under rule 259 for three hours and 39 minutes. Two lawmakers each of PPPP, PTI and PML-N, and one each of JUI-F, MQM and PML-Z took part in the debate as Interior minister wound up the debate.
• The federal minister for science and technology moved the House to constitute the Standing Committee on Textile Industry. The House carried the motion.

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 excepte