ISLAMABAD, May 7, 2014:  The National Assembly continued a discussion on the law and order situation in the country during the third sitting of its 11^th session on Wednesday, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

One member each from PTI, JI and PML-N took part in the debate on a motion under Rule 259 which continued for 82 minutes (44% of the proceedings time).

Parliamentary Secretary for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization laid a report on the biannual monitoring of the implementation of National Finance Commission Award (July-December 2012).

Sponsored by three PML-N lawmakers, the House took up a calling attention notice (CAN) regarding the closure of Telephone Industries of Pakistan (TIP) Haripur and non-payment of salaries to its employees for the last three months.

The MQM lawmakers staged a walkout from the House against target killings of their party workers; however, they returned after four minutes as the Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination managed to convince them.

The Deputy Speaker adjourned the sitting after the demand of a JUI-F lawmaker to have a prayer break and the he suddenly began to recite Azan in the House.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings:

 

• The National Assembly met for three hours and six minutes.
• The sitting started at 1015 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours witnessing a delay of 15 minutes.
• The speaker presided over the sitting for 50 minutes while the rest of proceedings were chaired by the Deputy Speaker.  
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 22 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, JI, MQM, QWP and PML-F attended the sitting.
• Thirty-six (11%) were present at the outset while 82 (24%) at the adjournment of the sitting. A maximum of 154 members (45%) were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.
• Six minority members attended the sitting.
• Five members applied for leave.

 

Output

 

• Parliamentary Secretary for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization laid a report on biannual monitoring of the implementation of National Finance Commission Award (July-December 2012).

 

Representation and Responsiveness

 

• One member each from PTI, JI and PML-N took part in a debate on a motion under Rule 259 regarding the law and order situation in the country which continued for 82 minutes (44% of the proceedings time).
• The relevant ministers responded to eleven out of 32 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies). Additionally, the lawmakers asked 14 supplementary questions.

 

 

Order and Institutionalization

• Legislators spoke on nine matters under Rule 18 for 18 minutes.
• The MQM lawmakers staged a walkout from the House against target killings of their party workers; however, they returned after four minutes as the Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination managed to convince them.
• The JI Parliamentary Leader pointed out the lack of quorum but it was found to be complete on headcount.

 

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