ISLAMABAD, August 22: The National Assembly during the seventh sitting of the fourth session on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution to condemn continued violation of ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) by Indian armed forces.

The House offered fateha for the martyrs of the incidents of LoC violation. The Speaker presided over the sitting that lasted two hours and 10 minutes. The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting. The parliamentary leaders of JI, PkMAP and the deputy parliamentary leader of PTI were present.

A Calling Attention Notice on environmental degradation of Pakistan’s mountain peaks and glaciers by trekkers was taken up. The notice was addressed to the Cabinet Secretariat.

When a PTI legislator pointed out the lack of quorum, the Speaker ordered for count of MNAs.  After three-minute of counting, the quorum was found complete.

Following are some key observations of the proceedings.

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The National Assembly met for two hours and 10 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1050 hours against the scheduled timings of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 20 minutes.
• Forty-six members were present at the start and 80 at the end of the sitting. At one point, there was a maximum 124 members in the House.
• The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
• The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the proceedings.
• Parliamentary leaders of JI, PkMAP, and deputy parliamentary leader of PTI were present.
• Fifteen members applied for leave.
• Six minority members were present.

Output

• The House unanimously adopted a government-sponsored resolution to condemn the incident of Indian Army’s firing on LoC that resulted in the killing of an army captain and injuring a soldier.

Representation and Responsiveness

•  A JUI-F MNA led the fateha for the martyrs of the recent incidents of Indian aggression along LoC.
• A Calling Attention Notice on environmental degradation of Pakistan’s mountains peaks and glaciers by trekkers was taken up. A CAN regarding recent terrorist attacks on Pakistan Railways’ trains and insufficient security arrangements for the passengers was left unaddressed.
• Two out of 19 questions on the orders of the day were taken up and answered by the relevant Minister. Additionally lawmakers asked nine supplementary questions.

Order and Institutionalization

• MNAs spoke on 34 points of orders consuming 72 minutes of the proceedings.
• When a PTI legislator pointed out the lack of quorum, the Speaker ordered for count of MNAs.  After three-minute of counting, the quorum was found complete.

Transparency

• The Assembly documented the members’ attendance.
• Information on members’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.

 

Disclaimer: 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.