Updated Version

ISLAMABAD, March 25, 2014: The National Assembly witnessed introduction of five bills and adopted one resolution on Tuesday during 2^nd sitting of its 10^th session, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet.

Five bills introduced in the House include the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2014 seeking amendment in Article 51; the Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Bill, 2014 to make provisions for prohibition of corporal punishment against children; the Disabled Persons Employment and Rehabilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2014; the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2014 for amendment in Article 198 and the Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Bill, 2014. The Chair referred all these bills to the relevant committees.

Tabled by PTI lawmaker, the House unanimously adopted a resolution to reduce indirect taxation in the country. Thirteen lawmakers held debate on the resolution for an hour and 45 minutes.

The House took up two calling attention notices (CANs). The first CAN, sponsored by female legislator of NPP and two PML-N lawmakers, was about installation of telephone towers in the residential areas by mobile phone companies, resulting in the spread of dangerous diseases, while the other CAN, sponsored by two PTI lawmakers, including a female legislator, was about non-renewal of arms licenses by NADRA.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The National Assembly met for three hours and 35 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1115 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 45 minutes.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting for an hour and 40 minutes while the remaining proceedings were chaired by Deputy Speaker.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for 20 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, JI, APML and ANP were present.
• Eighty-eight members were present at the outset while 50 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 137 members were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.
• Ten minority members attended the sitting.
• Ten members applied for leave.
  

Output

• Female legislator of JUI-F introduced the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2014 seeking amendment in Article 51.
• Female lawmaker of PML-N moved the Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Bill, 2014 to make provisions for prohibition of corporal punishment against children.
• Another female lawmaker of PML-N moved the Disabled Persons Employment and Rehabilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2014.
• JUI-F legislator introduced the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2014 seeking amendment in Article 198.
• Female legislator of PML-N moved the Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Bill, 2014. Minister for Religious Affairs wanted the bill to be sent to relevant standing committee while the Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) opposed it tooth and nail.
• Tabled by PTI lawmaker, the House unanimously adopted a resolution to reduce indirect taxation in the country. Thirteen lawmakers held debate on the resolution for an hour and 45 minutes.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House took up two calling attention notices (CANs). The first CAN, sponsored by female legislator of NPP and two PML-N lawmakers, was about installation of telephone towers in the residential areas by mobile phone companies, resulting in the spread of dangerous diseases, while the other CAN, sponsored by two PTI lawmakers, including a female legislator, was about non-renewal of arms licenses by NADRA.

Order and Institutionalization

• Lawmakers spoke on 17 matters under Rule 18 for 37 minutes.
• No instance of protest, walkout or boycott was witnessed during the sitting.

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