ISLAMABAD, February 28, 2019: The Majlis-e-Shoora discussed the Indian threats to Pakistan’s security and expressed resolve to combat all challenges, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet on Thursday.

Key observations of the proceeding during first sitting of the second Joint Session of Parliament include the following:

Members’ Participation

• The Majlis-e-Shoora met for four hours and 17 minutes; however, the proceeding remained suspended for 61 minutes due to prayer breaks.
• The sitting started at 1535 hours against its scheduled time of 1500 hours.
• The Speaker of the National Assembly presided over the entire sitting.
• The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairman Senate were present while the Deputy Chairman of Senate did not attend the sitting.
• The Leader of the House (Prime Minister) attended the sitting for an hour and 20 minutes.
• The Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly was present for an hour and 22 minutes.
• The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition in Senate attended the entire sitting.
• As many as 368 Parliamentarians (83% of the total membership of Parliament-446) were present at outset and 212 (48%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of JI, JUI-F, PkMAP, PML-N, ANP, PPPP, BAP, PML-F and MQM in the Senate were present.
• The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, MMAP, ANP, AMLP, GDA, PML, BAP, PML-N and MQM in National Assembly were present.

Output

• Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs moved a motion to discuss the prevailing external threats against Pakistan by India. The Leader of the House (Prime Minister) gave a policy statement on it for 22 minutes while 12 lawmakers participated in debate on this motion for two hours and 36 minutes.

Order and Institutionalization

• Two lawmakers spoke on points of order for seven minutes which were related to the draft of a resolution.
• The Joint Sitting of the Majlis-e-Shoora was adjourned to meet again on March 1, 2019 (Friday) at 1030 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 Parliament proceedings, conducted by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Errors and omissions are excepted