National Assembly Skips Agenda to Discuss Sahiwal Shootout

ISLAMABAD, January 21, 2019: The National Assembly did not take up its regular business and debated Sahiwal tragedy on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

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

Members’ Participation

  • The Assembly met for two hours and 31 minutes.
  • The sitting started at 1749 hours against the scheduled time of 1700 hours.
  • The Speaker presided over the sitting for 35 minutes while a member of Panel of Chairpersons chaired the remaining proceedings for an hour and 56 minutes.
  • The Leader of House (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting.
  • The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for 39 minutes.
  • As many as 42 lawmakers (12%) were present at the outset and 103 (30%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
  • The parliamentary leaders of JWP, PML-N, PPPP, PML and GDA attended the sitting.
  • As many as six out of 10 minority lawmakers were present.

Output

  • The House did not take the legislative business appearing on `Orders of the Day’.

Representation and Responsiveness

  • The House did not take up any of the Starred Questions, Calling Attention Notices, and other motions scheduled for today.
  • As many as 13 lawmakers spoke on a motion under Rule 259  consuming two hours and five minutes of the proceedings. It was related to killings of civilians by Counter Terrorism Department of Punjab Police near Sahiwal Toll Plaza.

 Order and Institutionalization 

  • A PTI lawmaker left the House following the orders of Chair because ECP suspended his membership over failure to submit details of assets.
  • Independent lawmakers protested on floor of the House for three minutes against remarks of a PTI lawmaker following which the Chair adjourned the House to meet again on January 22, 2019 (Tuesday) at 1100 hours. However, the Assembly website later mentioned the meeting time at 1600 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.

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 excepted