ISLAMABAD, June 24, 2015: The National Assembly witnessed low attendance on Wednesday as the House held a discussion on the ongoing energy crisis in the country and its resulting effects on the lives of people, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The sitting started 29 minutes behind the schedule with 26 lawmakers (8% of the total membership) present at the start and 96 (28%) at the time of adjournment.

The Minister for Water and Power moved a motion to discuss the power crisis and spoke for 72 minutes. Additionally, 12 other lawmakers shared their views on the issue for two hours and 35 minutes.

The House also passed a motion moved by the Finance Minister to constitute a 21-member committee that would review the progress on the Pak-China Economic Corridor.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings

• The National Assembly met for four hours and 50 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1029 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours.
• The House held a prayer break for 29 minutes.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for 111 minutes.
• The remaining time was presided over by the Deputy Speaker.
• 26 members (8%) were present at the start and 96 (28%) at the end of the sitting.
• A maximum of 170 members (50%) attended the proceedings.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting.
• The Opposition Leader was present for 95 minutes.
• The Finance Minister was present for 30 minutes.
• Parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, MQM, JI, AMLP, ANP, APML and PML were present.
• Ten minority members attended the proceedings.
• Thirteen members applied for leave.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The Minister for Water and Power moved a motion under Rule 259 to discuss the power crisis and spoke for 72 minutes.
• Twelve other lawmakers (three each from PPP and PTI, two from MQM and one each from JI, PML-N, PkMAP and ANP) shared their views on the energy crisis for two hours and 35 minutes.
• The House passed a motion moved by the Finance Minister to constitute a 21-member committee that would review the progress on the Pak-China Economic Corridor.

Order and Institutionalization

• Two points or order consumed 20 minutes of 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.

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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 are excepted.