ISLAMABAD, February 26, 2014: The Interior Minister on Wednesday presented the National Security Policy in the Lower House during third sitting of the 9^th session on Wednesday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet based on direct observation of the proceedings.

The National Security Policy comprises 100 pages. The Chair asked to distribute its hard copies among the lawmakers so that the House may start debate on it from Monday next (March 3).

Moved by Minister for Science and Technology, the House passed the Federal Court (Repeal) Bill, 2013 to repeal the Federal Court Act, 1937.

Chairman Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights presented the report of the Standing Committee on the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, to amend the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan Ordinance, 1979. The House condoned the delay in presentation of the report.

The House also took up two calling attention notices (CANs). Jointly sponsored by five lawmakers of PPPP, including three female members, the first CAN was about twenty-two hours load-shedding in Sindh while the other CAN, sponsored by four PPPP and one PTI lawmakers, was about not increasing the support price of various crops, including wheat, due to devaluation of rupee.

The Prime Minister attended the sitting for an hour and 14 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and 58 minutes. The parliamentary leaders of PML-F, APML, PML-Z, QWP-S, JUI-F and ANP attended the proceedings.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:

• The National Assembly met for three hours and 15 minutes.
• The sitting started with only one minute delay against the scheduled time of 1030 hours.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for two hours and 39 minutes while a member of panel of chairpersons presided over the proceedings for 36 minutes.
• The Prime Minister attended the sitting for an hour and 14 minutes while the Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and 58 minutes.
•  The parliamentary leaders of PML-F, APML, PML-Z, QWP-S, JUI-F and ANP attended the proceedings.
• Twenty-three (23) members were present at the outset while 45 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 216 members were observed to be present at one point of sitting.
• Eight minority members attended the sitting.
• Eight members applied for leave.

Output

• Moved by Minister for Science and Technology, the House passed the Federal Court (Repeal) Bill, 2013 to repeal the Federal Court Act, 1937.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The House also took up two calling attention notices (CANs). Jointly sponsored by five lawmakers of PPPP, including three female members, the first CAN was about twenty-two hours load-shedding in Sindh while the other CAN, sponsored by four PPPP and one PTI lawmakers jointly, was about not increasing the support price of various crops, including wheat, due to devaluation of rupee.
• Eleven of 43 Starred Questions (requiring oral as well written answers) on the Orders of the Day were taken up. Additionally, members asked 11 supplementary questions.

Order and Institutionalization

• Legislators spoke on 15 important matters under rule 18 for an hour and 25 minutes.
• 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