ISLAMABAD, December 12, 2013: The National Assembly debated the motion on prevailing law and order in the country during the 6th sitting of 7^th session on Thursday, while discussion was also held on two Calling Attention Notices (CANs), says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation.

The calling attention notices were relating to the announcement of natural gas load-shedding across the country and participation of government servants in electronic/print media without previous sanction of the competent authority.

Five lawmakers belonging to PML-N, PTI, PPPP, MQM and AMLP debated the motion for an hour and 5 minutes regarding law and order in the country.

State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs laid annual report of the Federal Public Service Commission for the year, 2012.

A total of 54 members, among the House of 340, were present at the outset while 52 were there at the adjournment of sitting.

The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was there for 55 minutes. Parliamentary leaders of AMLP, JI and APML attended the proceedings.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The National Assembly met for three hours and 46 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1050 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 20 minutes.
• The Speaker presided over the sitting for two hours and 43 minutes while the remaining proceedings were chaired by a Member of Panel of Chairpersons.
•  The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition remained present for 55 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of AMLP, JI and APML were present.
• Fifty-four (54) members were present at the outset while 52 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 152 members were observed to be present at one point of sitting.
• The House took 27-minute prayer break
• Six minority members attended the sitting.
• Fourteen members applied for leave.
  

Output

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs laid annual report of the Federal Public Service Commission for the year, 2012.  

Representation and Responsiveness

• Five MQM members and a PML-N legislator tabled two separate CANs relating to announcement of load shedding of natural gas in the country and participation of government servants in electronic/print media, in any manner, without previous sanction of competent authority. 
• The House debated motion regarding law and order in the country for one hour and 5 minutes. One member each from PML-N, PTI, PPPP, MQM and AMLP participated in this debate. 
• Eleven out of 59 Starred Questions (requiring oral answers) on the Orders of the Day were taken up. Additionally, members asked 19 supplementary questions. 

Order and Institutionalization

• MNAs spoke on 11 points of order for 17 minutes.
• There were no instances of protest, boycotts or walkouts 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