ISLAMABAD, June 8, 2016: The discussion on the Budget 2016-17 in the National Assembly continued on Wednesday during fifth sitting of 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 three hours and 58 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1105 hours against the scheduled time 1100 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting for 145 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the rest of the proceeding.
• The Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Finance Minister did not attend the sitting,
• Twelve Federal Ministers were present.
• 43 MNAs (12%) were present at outset and 32 (9%) at adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, JI, AMLP, PML-Z, QWP-S and APML attended the sitting.
• Six minority members were present.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Sixteen lawmakers belonging to PML-N, PPPP, PTI, JI and Independents took part in the general discussion on Budget 2016-17 consuming 214 minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers spoke on seven Points of Order consuming nine minutes of the sitting.
• The MQM lawmakers staged walkout at 1116 hours against sieging the House of the party’s Parliamentary Leader in Karachi. They did not return to the House till the adjournment.

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.