ISLAMABAD, December 12, 2014: Starting 45 minutes behind the schedule, the sixth sitting of the Balochistan Assembly’s 15th session on Friday witnessed pandemonium over an ANP lawmaker’s remarks against the Chief Minister and PML-N leaders, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its daily factsheet.

The parliamentary leader of ANP, while quoting two anchorpersons of a private TV channel, alleged that the Chief Minister and PML-N leaders were negotiating a deal to sell cold and copper reservoirs from Reko Diq to foreign companies. His remarks infuriated the ruling party’s lawmakers and resulted in exchange of harsh words. However, the situation was normalized after the Chief Minister assured the House that no such deal had been struck.

Six members – three belonging to PML-N, two from JUI-F and one NP member – debated a motion on deteriorating law and order in the province for an hour and 39 minutes.

Following are some of the key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Balochistan Assembly met for two hours and 45 minutes.
• The sitting started at 1645 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours, witnessing a delay of 45 minutes.
• A prayer break of 28 minutes was observed during the sitting.
• Thirty-five members were present at the start and 30 at the end of the sitting. A maximum of 40 members were seen at one point of the sitting.
• The Speaker chaired the entire sitting.
• The Chief Minister and the Opposition Leader were present.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, ANP, PML, NP, PkMAP and JUI-F were present.
• Three minority members attended the sitting.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Six members – three belonging to PML-N, two from JUI-F and one NP member – debated a motion on deteriorating law and order in Balochistan for an hour and 39 minutes. The motion was tabled in the first sitting.

Order and Institutionalization

• The Balochistan Assembly witnessed pandemonium over an ANP lawmaker’s remarks against the Chief Minister and PML-N leaders, alleging that they were negotiating a deal to sell cold and copper reservoirs from Reko Diq to foreign companies.

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.

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This daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Balochistan Assembly proceedings conducted by Center for Peace and Development (CPD) – a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are regretted