ISLAMABAD, December 5, 2013: The Cantonment Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2013 was laid in the National Assembly during the first sitting of the seventh session, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the Lower House on Thursday.

Two Calling Attention Notices regarding overpricing of medicines by pharmaceutical companies, making healthcare out of reach of the poor and delay in commencement of work on Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway M-9 were taken up.

A total of 102 Members (30%), among the House of 340, were present at the outset while 56 (16%) were there at the adjournment of sitting.

The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for one hour and 21 minutes. Parliamentary leaders of PTI, PML, PkMAP, PML-Z, PML-F, QWP, ANP, APML, AML and JI attended the proceedings

Members spoke on 16 Points of Order for one hour and 50 minutes.

Following are some key observations of the Parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The National Assembly met for three hours and 41 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1638 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours, witnessing a delay of 38 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for 48 minutes and Deputy Speaker for one hour and 28 minutes. The remaining proceeding was chaired by a Member of Panel of Chairpersons.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition remained present for one hour and 21 minutes.
• The Parliamentary leaders of PTI, PML, PkMAP, PML-Z, PML-F, QWP, ANP, APML, AML and JI attended the sitting.
• One hundred and two (102) Members were present at the outset while 56 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 183 Members were observed to be present at one point of sitting.
• Five Minority Members attended the sitting.
• The House observed a 31-minute prayer break.
• Nine members applied for leave.

Output

• State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs introduced The Cantonment Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2013 in the House.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Members of PTI and MQM tabled two Calling Attention Notices. These were about overpricing of medicines by pharmaceutical companies, making healthcare out of reach of the poor and delay in commencement of work on Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway M-9 were taken up.
• Eight of 87 Starred questions (requiring oral answers) on the agenda related to Ministry of Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Statistics and Ministry of Planning and Development were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministers. Additionally, Members asked 17 Supplementary questions.

Order and Institutionalization

• Members spoke on 16 Points of Order for one hour and 50 minutes.
• There were no instances of protest, boycotts or walkouts.

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 excepted