ISLAMABAD, June 8, 2020: The National Assembly took up most of the agenda and discussed the issue of stranded Pakistanis through points of order, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet on Monday.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during second sitting of the 22^nd session:

Members’ Participation

• The National Assembly met for three hours and 22 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1635 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours.
• The Deputy Speaker presided over the entire proceedings in the absence of Speaker.
• As many as 97 lawmakers (28%) were present at the outset and 11 (3%) at the adjournment of sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPP, BAP and MMAP attended the sitting.
• Six minority lawmakers were present.

Output

• Parliamentary Secretary for Finance laid the COVID-19 (Prevention of Smuggling) Ordinance, 2020 and the Financial Institutions (Secured Transactions) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 in the House. He also introduced the Pakistan Single Window Bill, 2020 which was referred to the committee for further consideration.
• The House witnessed presentation of reports on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority Bill, 2020 and the United Nations (Security Council) (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
• Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs laid the annual report/Post Election Review 2018 and the Annual Report 2019 of the Election Commission of Pakistan

Representation and Responsiveness

• Minister for National Food Security and Research responded to a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) regarding locust attack in Thal area especially in District Bhakkar.
• Another CAN regarding discontinuation in payment of enhanced pension to EOBI beneficiaries was not taken up.
• The House passed a motion to suspend the question hour for the entire session.
• Tabled by Advisor to Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs, the House discussed a motion of thanks to President for his address to joint session of Parliament. Eleven lawmakers spoke on it for 55 minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

• Eighteen lawmakers spoke on points of order for an hour and 16 minutes and disused the issues related to Pakistanis stranded abroad after COVID-19, agriculture and petroleum shortage in the country.
• The House was adjourned to meet again on June 10, 2020 (Wednesday) at 1100 hours.

Transparency

• Orders of the Day was available to the legislators, observers and public.
• Attendance of lawmakers was available to the media and observers.

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