ISLAMABAD, June 9, 2016: The discussion on the Budget 2016-17 in the National Assembly continued on Thursday during sixth sitting of the National Assembly’s 33^rd session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Following are some key observations of the House proceeding:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The National Assembly met for five hours and 31 minutes.
• The proceeding remained suspended for 56 minutes due to lack of quorum.
• The sitting started at 1105 hours against the scheduled time 1100 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting for 130 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the rest of the proceeding.
• The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting,
• The Finance Minister attended the sitting for 37 minutes.
• Twelve Federal Ministers were present.
• 40 MNAs (11%) were present at outset and 13 (4%) at adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, JI, AMLP, PML-Z, QWP-S and APML attended the sitting.
• Seven minority members were present.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Thirteen lawmakers – seven belonging to PML-N, two to PTI and one each to PPPP, JUI-F, APML and Independent – took part in the general discussion on Budget 2016-17 consuming 219 minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers spoke on 17 Points of Order consuming 35 minutes of the sitting.
• The lawmakers belonging to Opposition parties staged walkout at 1256 hours against disrespectful remarks of the Defence Minister about a woman lawmaker of PTI. Only MQM lawmakers returned to the House at 1415 hours while rest of the Opposition did not come back.
• The proceeding remained suspended for 56 minutes due to lack of quorum pointed out by a PTI lawmaker. An Independent lawmaker also pointed out the quorum at 1258 hours but it was found complete on counting.

Transparency

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

• Information on Members’ attendance is available on National Assembly website.

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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.