ISLAMABAD, July 16, 2021:  The National Assembly passed two government bills and adopted three resolutions to extend as many ordinances, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its daily factsheet on Friday.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during sixth sitting of the 35th session:

 Members’ Participation

• The National Assembly met for two hours and 37 minutes.
• The sitting started at 10:35 am against the scheduled time of 10:30 am.
• The deputy speaker presided over the entire sitting in the absence of speaker.
• The leaders of the House (Prime Minister) and the opposition did not attend the sitting.
• As many as 55 (16 percent) lawmakers were present at the outset and 31 (9 percent) at the adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of MQMP and PPPP attended the sitting.
• Six minority lawmakers were present.

 Output

• The House adopted three resolutions seeking 120-day extension to as many ordinances including the Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021; the Higher Education Commission (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 and the Higher Education Commission (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2021.
• The House passed two government bills including the Islamabad Capital Territory Senior Citizens Bill, 2021 and the Special Technology Zones Authority Bill, 2021.
• Chairperson Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat presented report on the Special Technology Zones Authority Bill, 2021.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Parliamentary Secretary for interior responded to a calling attention notice (CAN) regarding issuance of bogus Computerized National Identity Cards in Province of Sindh by National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
• Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting responded to another CAN about increasing obscenity on TV channels.
• The House did not debate a motion of thanks to president for his address to Parliament.
• The House did not observe question hour due to suspension of proceedings over quorum issue.

 Order and Institutionalization

• Twelve lawmakers spoke on points of order for 18 minutes.
• A PML-N lawmaker pointed out the quorum at 10:53 am which led to suspension of the proceedings for 50 minutes.
• Another PML-N lawmaker pointed out the quorum at 12:33 pm but it was found complete upon counting.
• The House was adjourned to meet again on Monday, July 19, 2021 at 10:00 am.

 Transparency

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

 

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