ISLAMABAD, August 28, 2013: A constitutional amendment bill seeking 20-year extension for provincial quota in the federal government services was introduced in the National Assembly on Wednesday during the 11^th sitting of the fourth session.

Minister for Science and Technology introduced the Constitution (Twenty-third Amendment) Bill 2013, calling for amending clause 1 of the constitution’s article 27 (safeguard against discrimination in services).

The House took up a Calling Attention Notice on the reduction in grants of the University of Karachi and NED University of Technology. However, the notice on imposing a 5% income tax on the fees charged by educational institutions was not taken up.

The sitting was chaired by the Speaker for one hour and 46 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired the rest of the proceedings.  The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting and the Leader of the Opposition was present for 53 minutes.

Parliamentary leaders of PPPP, JI, AMLP, PkMAP, APML, PML-Z and PTI’s deputy parliamentary leader attended the proceedings

Following are some key observations of the proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The National Assembly met for three hours and six minutes. The House took a break of 37 minutes.
• The sitting started 35 minutes late at 1705 hours instead of the scheduled start time of 1630 hours.
• Ninety-one MNAs were present at the sitting’s start and 67 at the end. At one point, there were a maximum of 175 MNAs in the House.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for one hour and 46 minutes while Deputy Speaker chaired the rest of the proceedings.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 53 minutes.
• Parliamentary leaders of PPPP, JI, AMLP, PkMAP, APML, PML-Z and PTI’s deputy parliamentary leader attended the proceedings.
• Nine MNAs applied for leave.
• Six minority MNAs were present.

Output

• The Constitution (Twenty-third Amendment Bill 2013) was introduced. 

Representation and Responsiveness

• The National Assembly took up a Calling Attention Notice on the reduction in grants of the University of Karachi and NED University of Technology.
• Eight out of 22 starred questions on the agenda were taken up. Additionally, MNAs asked 20 supplementary questions.

• A PML-N legislator discussed the President’s address to the parliament for eight minutes.

 Order and Institutionalization

• MNAs spoke on 17 Points of Order for 57 minutes.

• The members of the opposition benches staged a walkout over non-serious attitude of government over situation on Line of Control, non-payment of salaries to the employees of Pakistan Steel Mills, lack of interest by the government over immediate briefing to the legislators by Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign and National Security regarding possible attack of America on Syria and development on talks with Taliban in Doha. The members walked out 18 minutes before the end of sitting and did not return to attend the rest of the proceedings.

• A privilege motion by a PML-N member about police’s attitude was referred to the committee.

Transparency

• Orders of the Day were available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on members’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.  

 

Disclaimer: 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.