ISLAMABAD, January 30, 2020: The Opposition staged walkout in the National Assembly on Thursday against reliance of the government on Ordinances for legislation and delay in summoning session of the House, observes Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet.

 Following are key observations of the House proceedings during first sitting of the 19th session:

Members’ Participation

• The National Assembly met for two hours and 15 minutes; however, the proceedings remained suspended for 22 minutes due to prayer break.
• The sitting started at 1652 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting for 53 minutes while the Deputy Speaker presided over the remaining proceedings.
• The Leaders of the House (Prime Minister) and the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
• As many as 61 (18%) members were present at the outset and 103 (30%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of BAP attended the sitting.
• Five out of 10 minority lawmakers were present.

Output

• The House adopted two resolutions to extend the China Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority Ordinance, 2019 and d the Tax Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2019 for a further period of 120 days.
• Minister for Economic Affairs Division presented the Tax Laws (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2019 while Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs laid the Enforcement of Women’s Property Rights (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019 and the National Accountability (second Amendment) Ordinance, 2019.
• Chairman Standing committee on Defence presented the report of the Committee on the Joint Maritime Information Organization Bill, 2019.
• Tabled by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, the House passed the Federal Public Service Commission (Validation of Rules) Bill, 2019.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs responded to Calling Attention Notice (CAN) regarding difficulties being faced by Pakistani students in China due to Corona-virus.
• Another CAN about discontinuation of free provision of medicines to cancer patients was deferred.
• The House did not take up a motion of thanks expressing gratitude to the President for his address to Parliament on September 12, 2019.

 Order and Institutionalization

• The Opposition staged walkout of the House at 1710 hours against reliance of the government on Ordinances for legislation and delay in summoning the session of the House. They returned to the House after prayer break at 1807 hours.
•  A PPPP lawmaker pointed the quorum at 1712 hours which was found complete upon counting.
• As many as 14 lawmakers spoke on points of order for an hour and 16 minutes.
• The House was adjourned to meet again on January 31, 2020 (Friday) at 1030 hours.

Transparency

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