ISLAMABAD, June 27, 2020: The National Assembly approved 23 Demands for Grants on Saturday for fiscal year 2020-21 mainly related to four divisions, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during 16^th sitting of the 22^nd session of NA:

Members’ Participation

• The House met for eight hours and 37 minutes; however, the proceedings remained suspended for 32 minutes due to casual break.
• The proceedings started at 1124 hours against the scheduled time of 1100 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting for two hours and 12 minutes while the rest of the proceedings was chaired by a member of Panel of Chairpersons.
• The Leaders of the House (Prime Minister) and the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
• A total of 26 lawmakers (8%) were present at the outset and 21(6%) at the adjournment of the sitting. As per SOPs, 46 lawmakers of the government and 40 members of the opposition parties would attend each sitting during the ongoing budget session while the overall attendance to be marked at the main gate of the National Assembly.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N and BAP, attended the sitting.
• Five out of 10 minority lawmakers were also present during the proceedings.

 Output 

• The House approved 23 Demands for Grants relating to four divisions by rejecting all cut motions on majority of them. Out of total 190 Demands for Grants, 167 were approved in the previous sitting while the House gave approval of remaining Demands for Grants in today’s sitting after voting. The Chair also formally announced the approval of all Demands for Grants at end of the sitting.

Order and Institutionalization

• Five lawmakers spoke on points of order for 14 minutes.
• The House was adjourned to meet again on June 29, 2020 (Monday) at 1100 hours.

Transparency

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

This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the National Assembly’s proceedings, conducted by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted.