Points of Order Dominate Balochistan Assembly’s Proceedings

Question Hour not observed due to absence of mover

ISLAMABAD, January 6, 2017: The Balochistan Assembly did not observe Question Hour due to absence of mover while Points of Order consumed 60% of the proceedings time, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) on Friday.

Following are key observations of the first proceedings of 36th session:

Members’ Participation

  • The Balochistan Assembly met for an hour and 34 minutes.
  • The sitting started at 1612 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours.
  • The Speaker presided over the entire sitting.
  • The Chief Minister also attended the entire sitting.
  • The Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
  • Fifteen lawmakers (23%) were present at the start and 25 (38%) at the adjournment of sitting.
  • Parliamentary leaders of PkMAP, PML-N, PML and MWM were present.
  • Two minority members attended the sitting.
  • Eighteen members applied for leave.

Output

  • Annual report of Balochistan Public Service Commission for the year 2015 was presented in the House.

Representation and Responsiveness

  • The House passed a motion to fill vacant posts in three Standing Committees.
  • The House did not observe Question Hour. All five Starred Questions were deferred on the request of the mover who didn’t attend the sitting.

Order and Institutionalization

  • The lawmakers spoke on 13 Points of Order, consuming 57 minutes of the proceedings.

Transparency

  • ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
  • Attendance of Members was not made public.

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 excepted.