NA Session Prorogued Sine Die

ISLAMABAD, March 7, 2014: The National Assembly passed the Federal Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2014 during 10^th sitting of its 9^th session on Friday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.

The federal minister for science and technology introduced the bill which was passed by the House unanimously.

Presented by state minister for Information and Technology, the Lower House adopted an out of agenda resolution in connection with the International Women’s Day being observed on March 8 and appreciated the role of women in economic development, political stability and raising awareness about the female rights in the country.

Jointly sponsored by female legislators of PPPP, PML-N, JUI-F and male lawmakers of PTI and MQM, the House took up calling attention notice (CAN) regarding loss of lives of a large number of journalists due to terrorism and absence of any policy for the protection of newsmen, their families and media houses.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The National Assembly met for two hours and four minutes.
• The sitting started at 1045 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 15 minutes.
• The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and 27 minutes.
• The parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, JI, APML, PML-Z and QWP were present.
• Sixty members were present at the outset while 57 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 120 members were observed to be present at one point of the sitting.
• Five minority members attended the sitting.
• Seventeen members applied for leave.
  

Output

• Introduced by the federal minister for science and technology, the Lower House passed the Federal Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2014. 
• The House adopted a resolution in connection with the International Women’s Day being observed on March 8 and appreciated the role of women in economic development, political stability and raising awareness about the female rights in the country.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Jointly sponsored by female legislators of PPPP, PML-N, JUI-F and male lawmakers of PTI and MQM, the House took up CAN regarding loss of lives of a large number of journalists due to terrorism and absence of any policy for the protection of newsmen, their families and media houses.

• Thirteen out of 32 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written answers) on the agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministries. Additionally, 11 supplementary questions were asked.
  

Order and Institutionalization

• Lawmakers spoke on eleven points of order 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