ISLAMABAD, March 4, 2014: The National Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution and witnessed introduction of two bills during the 7^th sitting of its 9^th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.

A female lawmaker of PML-N introduced the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2014 to amend Pakistan Penal Code, 1860, the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898 and the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984. A minority lawmaker of PPPP laid The Hindu Marriage Bill, 2014 in the House.

The Appointment and Continuation of Services of Government Servants (Absorbed/Appointed by Transfer) Bill, 2014 was deferred after nine lawmakers debated it for 12 minutes. The bill seeks adjustment of government servants who were absorbed or appointed by transfer; on requisition or mutual consent of  the federal government to the provincial government and vice versa.

Tabled by PML-N female lawmaker, the House adopted a resolution for providing Computerized National Identity Cards to the citizens free of cost.

Another resolution, brought by four JI lawmakers, regarding provision of interest free loans by the government to the federal government employees was debated by thirteen lawmakers for 50 minutes. However the resolution could not be passed due to the opposition from treasury benches.

Five legislators participated in the debate on commenced motion under rule 259 regarding foreign policy of the government. Advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs wound up the debate on behalf of government.

The House took up two calling attention notices (CANs). First CAN was regarding expected termination of thousands of contractual employees from various federal government departments and the other was about disposing of factories waste underground Islamabad Capital Territory resulting in fatal diseases like cancer, hepatitis and stomach disorders.

Following are some key observations of the Parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The National Assembly met for two hours and 45 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1100 hours against the scheduled time of 1030 hours, witnessing a delay of 30 minutes.  
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for one hour and 39 minutes while Deputy Speaker presided over the rest of the proceedings.
• The Prime Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for two hours and 28 minutes.
•  The parliamentary leaders of AMLP, JI, ANP, APML, PML-Z, PML and QWP attended the sitting.
• Sixty-five members were present at the outset while 92 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 143 members were observed to be present at one point of sitting.
• Five minority members attended the sitting.
• Twenty-four members applied for leave.

Output

• A female lawmaker of PML-N introduced the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2014 to amend Pakistan Penal Code, 1860, the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898 and the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984. A minority lawmaker of PPPP laid The Hindu Marriage Bill, 2014 in the House.
• The Appointment and Continuation of Services of Government Servants (Absorbed/Appointed by Transfer) Bill, 2014 was deferred after nine lawmakers spoke for about 12 minutes.  The bill seeks adjustment of government servants who were absorbed or appointed by transfer; on requisition or mutual consent of the federal government to the provincial government and vice versa.
• Tabled by PML-N female lawmaker, the House adopted a resolution for providing Computerized National Identity Cards to the citizens free of cost.
• Another resolution regarding provision of interest free loans by the government to the federal government employees was debated by thirteen lawmakers for 50 minutes. The resolution was not passed following the opposition from treasury benches.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Jointly sponsored by lawmakers of AMLP, APML, JUI-F and Independent members, the House took up the first CAN regarding expected termination of thousands of contractual employees from various federal government departments.
• Another CAN sponsored by PML-N lawmakers was also taken up by the House. It was about disposing of factories waste underground in the Islamabad Capital Territory resulting in fatal diseases like cancer, hepatitis and stomach disorders.
• Five lawmakers participated in the debate on commenced motion under rule 259 regarding foreign policy of the government. Advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs wound up the debate on behalf of government.

Order and Institutionalization

• Only single point of order consumed fifteen minutes of the sitting.
• 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