ISLAMABAD, June 10, 2019: The National Assembly did not transact most of its regular agenda on Monday while Opposition parties protested against the arrest of PPPP Co-Chairperson by NAB, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during first sitting of the budget (11th) session:

Members’ Participation

• The House met for two hours and two minutes.

• The proceedings started at 1607 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours.

• The Speaker presided over the sitting for an hour and 16 minutes while the Deputy Speaker chaired rest of the sitting.

• The Leader of the House (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting.

• The Leader of the Opposition was present for an hour and 19 minutes.

• As many as 40 lawmakers (12%) were present at the outset and 105 (31%) at the adjournment of the sitting.

• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PML-N, ANP and AMLP attended the sitting.

Output 

• The House did not take up the ICT Rights of Persons with Disability Bill, 2018 appearing on agenda.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Moved by a PTI lawmaker, the House adopted a motion to suspend the business of the House from June 14, 2019 till the passage of Budget .

• The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs responded to a Call Attention Notice (CAN) which was jointly moved by PTI lawmakers. It was regarding non-constriction of schools in district Abbottabad. The Chair referred the CAN to the concerned Standing Committee for further deliberations.

• Another CAN regarding delay in formation of Child Rights Commission remained unaddressed.

• The House did not take up a Motion of Thanks appearing on agenda.

 Order and Institutionalization

• As many as nine lawmakers spoke on points of order consuming an hour and 42 minutes of the proceedings.

• PPPP lawmakers walked out of the proceedings against the arrest of their Party Co-Chairperson by NAB.

• The House was adjourned to meet again on June 11, 2019 (Tuesday) at 1700 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’s proceedings, conducted by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted