ISLAMABAD, December 13, 2018: The National Assembly left its entire agenda unaddressed on Thursday and discussed political and parliamentary issues amidst opposition’s walkout, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during fourth sitting of the sixth session:

 Members’ Participation

• The Assembly met for an hour and 39 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1240 hours against the scheduled time of 1100 hours.
• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
• The Deputy Speaker did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of House (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for an hour and 26 minutes. He was released from jail custody to attend the House proceedings on production orders issued by the Speaker,
• As many as 141 lawmakers (41%) were present at the outset and 63 (18%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of MMA, BNP, PML-N, GDA, PML and PPPP attended the sitting.
• As many as five out of 10 minority lawmakers were present.

 Output

• The House did not take up the scheduled business appearing on Orders of the Day.

Order and Institutionalization 

• As many as six lawmakers raised eight Points of Order consuming an hour and 30 minutes (55%) of the proceedings. They highlighted the issues concerning issuance of production order for PML-N MNA recently detained by National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Chairmanship of Public Accounts Committee, and delay in formation of Standing Committees.
• A lawmaker spoke on point of personal explanation for two minutes
• The entire opposition walked out from the proceedings at 1413 hours over delay in issuance of production order of PML-N MNA. They did not return to the House till adjournment of the sitting.
• The House was adjourned to meet again on December 14, 2018 (Friday) at 1030 hours.

 Transparency

• Orders of the Day was available to the legislators, observers and public.
• Attendance of lawmakers is available on the National Assembly’s website.

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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 regretted