ISLAMABAD, September 27, 2016: The National Assembly deferred the passage of four Private Members’ bills on the request of the government on Tuesday, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during second sitting of its 36^th session:

Members’ Participation

• The National Assembly met for two hours and 34 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1034 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting while the Deputy Speaker was not present.
• The Leader of the House (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 25 minutes.
• Sixteen lawmakers (4%) were present at the outset while 88 (25%) at the adjournment of sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PkMAP, JI, and ANP attended the sitting.
• Six minority members were present.

Output

• Moved by parliamentary leader of PPPP, the House unanimously adopted a supplementary resolution condemning Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir.
• The House referred the Prevention of Mal-practices in Academia Bill, 2016, the Pakistan Minorities Rights Commission Bill, 2016, the Criminal Laws, (Amendment) Bill, 2016, the Protection of Minorities Bill, 2016 and the Technical Educational Institutions, Medical Educational Institutions and Universities (Regulation of Fee) Bill, 2016 to the relevant standing committees.
• The passage of four Private Members’ bills was deferred on the request of treasury while two bills were dropped due to the absence of sponsor.
• Chairman Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges presented two reports of the committee on amendments to the Rules of Procedure. The House condoned the delay in presentation of these reports.
• Moved by JI lawmaker, the House referred an amendment to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business to the relevant standing committee.
• The House also adopted a Private Members’ resolution urging the government to abolish interest on house-building advance being given to Federal Government employees. Seventeen lawmakers spoke for 42 minutes on the resolution.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House took up two Calling Attention Notices regarding retirement of Federal Government employees and belligerent Indian attitude in Occupied Kashmir and threat of unilaterally suspending the Indus Water Treaty.
• The Minister for Finance gave a policy statement on Pakistan’s joining in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters.

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers spoke on seven Points of Order, consuming 11 minutes of the sitting.

Transparency

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

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